( CNN ) -- Phil Mickelson did it the hard way . But the bottom line was that he came away victorious from the Scottish Open to end a 20-year individual drought in Europe . Mickelson beat South Africa 's Branden Grace in a playoff on the links course at Castle Stuart in the Scottish Highlands on Sunday for his first win in Europe since claiming a Challenge Tour event in Paris in 1993 . It was the perfect preparation for Mickelson ahead of the British Open that starts Thursday at Muirfield in Scotland . It must have also eased the pain of finishing second again at the U.S. Open last month . `` This is really cool , '' Mickelson , in his ninth appearance at the Scottish Open , was quoted as saying by the European Tour 's website . `` It 's important to me , and it 's probably the biggest challenge of my career hitting the shots that are required here . `` To win here and to play well here , finally win on a links golf course , it really means a lot to me and it also builds my confidence heading into future Scottish and British Opens . '' The highest ranked golfer in the field at No . 8 , Mickelson blew a chance to win the title in regulation when he erred on the 18th hole . Needing only a par five -- he did n't drop a shot at the 18th in the first three rounds -- Mickelson struck a bogey to complete his round at three-under 69 and was 17 under through four rounds , like Grace . But in the playoff at the same hole he recovered , edging Grace by hitting a birdie . `` I was so mad at myself for mentally losing my focus that I came out on that 18th ( in the playoff ) pretty focused to make a four , '' said the American . `` I started coming here around 2000 or so and spent a lot of years here enjoying my time in Scotland and enjoying this competition . `` And to finally win , that feels great . '' Mickelson and Grace were tied for second behind Sweden 's Henrik Stenson heading into the final round . Stenson 's two-shot lead evaporated when he fired a one-over 73 and he finished tied for second with Denmark 's JB Hansen .
Phil Mickelson wins the Scottish Open in a playoff over South African Branden Grace . Mickelson wins his first individual event in Europe in 20 years . Scandinavians JB Hansen and Henrik Stenson finish two shots behind Mickelson and Grace .