Amazing Golf Shots

The “Duel in the Sun” has gone down in folklore as the all time best head-to-head contest within a major golf championship. Tom Watson and Jack Nicklaus slugged it out over the final round of the 1977 Open Championship at Turnberry, arriving at the 72nd hole with Watson leading by one. He hit a perfect 1 iron tee shot down the centre of the fairway but Nicklaus blocked his Driver down the right into an awful lie near gorse bushes. Tom played first from the fairway hitting an excellent shot to within 2 feet of the hole leaving Jack in trouble. It was doubtful he could get the ball out succesfully never mind onto the green but he smashed an incredible 8 iron onto the front corner of the green. Listen for the commentator describe it as “…one of the most powerful animalistic golf shots I have ever seen.” Of course Watson was still very much in the driving seat but somehow Nicklaus dredged up the most amazing golf shot I have ever seen as he holed the putt across the green to put the pressure back on Watson. Of course as we all know Tom knocked in the short putt to win the Claret Jug but Jack’s putt really is my favourite golf shot ever and I’m thrilled to have found footage online for it.
Actually the whole video is on youtube starting here.

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This amazing golf shot was delivered like a boxer’s knockout blow. In blustery conditions Padraig Harrington played percentage golf for much of the 2008 Open Championship but when opportunities presented themselves he took them. On the 71st #17 hole at Royal Birkdale two shots ahead of he field he took a calculated risk and hit a magnificent five wood 272 yards to the heart of the green, the ball finally rolling out to 6 feet, “That’s a ripper!” said Peter Alliss. Harrington inevitably holed out for his eagle, closed out his rivals and won his second Claret Jug.

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Great golf shots do not necessarily have to be spectacular. British links courses have some of the most fearsome bunkers in world golf and simply to get the ball out is often a good shot. Factor in the wind whipping across the course, an awkward stance and Greg Norman faced a particularly tough golf shot. Watch Norman play an incredible bunker shot recovery from below green level at #16 at Royal Birkdale in the 2008 Open Championship.

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The TPC Sawgrass #17 hole has reached iconic status in golf as every year the worlds best golfers queue up to sweat over a shot to the island green at The Players Championship. With zero margin for error you’d be forgiven for thinking it’s all about the tee shot. Well it is, almost! Once your ball has reached the putting surface you are still faced with a treacherous putt. See Tiger Woods read a double breaking putt to perfection and laugh as the commentators get the call completely wrong. A wonderful amazing golf shot.

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