default-cbs-image

The comparisons between the 1977 Open Championship and the 2016 Open Championship are almost too easy.

In 1977, Tom Watson outlasted Jack Nicklaus with a 65 in the final round to Nicklaus' 66. Both men had shot 68-70-65 in the first three rounds. Watson won by just one over Nicklaus but the third place golfer finished 11 strokes back. That sounds a lot like what happened at Royal Troon last week with Henrik Stenson and Phil Mickelson.

Stenson shot a 63 to Mickelson's 65 in what was one of the greatest performances in major championship history. Nicklaus weighed in via Facebook on what we all witnessed.

"I was fortunate to watch every second of today's final round of the Open Championship, and I thought it was fantastic," said Nicklaus. "Phil Mickelson played one of the best rounds I have ever seen played in the Open and Henrik Stenson just played better--he played one of the greatest rounds I have ever seen."

It certainly was that from a historical perspective.

"Phil certainly has nothing to be ashamed of because he played wonderfully," added Nicklaus. "Henrik played well from beginning to end. Some in the media have already tried to compare today's final round to 1977 at Turnberry, with Tom Watson and me in what they called the "duel in the sun." I thought we played great and had a wonderful match. On that day, Tom got me, 65-66. Our final round was really good, but theirs was even better. What a great match today."

Well said from the best ever.