Six from 16: The biggest 2016 golf moments
From Jordan Spieth’s Masters meltdown to a roaring Rory McIlroy at the Ryder Cup, we look back at the biggest 2016 golf moments over the past season.
Spieth’s Masters meltdown
Where else do we start than the first major of the season? The Masters back in April seems a long, long time ago but it will be one tournament that Jordan Spieth may never forget.
The 23-year-old looked to be heading for a second green jacket in successive years at Augusta, well, that was until he stepped onto the 12th tee having led by five just two holes earlier.
And, the rest as they say… is history.
Watch @JordanSpieth's final round in under three minutes. #themastershttps://t.co/DVVTzUlEmZ
— Masters Tournament (@TheMasters) April 11, 2016
After duffing two shots into the water the American never recovered in what has been dubbed as one of the worst ‘chokes’ in the game’s history.
Danny Willett’s magnificent final round of 67 saw him become only the second ever Englishman to win The Masters in its long history – a phenomenal moment from 2016 in its own right.
Fantastic Furyk makes history
Jim Furyk’s record breaking round of 58 was the lowest in PGA Tour history and could be one of the greatest for as long as the game is played.
The 46-year-old, who also claimed the coveted Payne Stewart award earlier this year, had the round of his life and boy did he enjoy it.
In amongst the madness there was a hole out from 135 yards at the 3rd, a front nine of 27, seven straight birdies around the turn and he actually had a putt for a 57 at TPC River Highlands’ last hole.
Furyk was already one of six men to have broken 60 with his 59 at the BMW Championship in 2013 and this was even more ridiculous.
Hats off, Jim.
Duel in the Sun (II)
This is one of those “where were you?” moments. And, they don’t come around often. Henrik Strenson’s maiden major title was hard fought to say the least and for some it was one of the best golfing duels to have ever graced the game.
Stenson’s record equalling final round of 63 was almost matched shot for shot as a valiant 64 from Phil Mickelson saw the Ryder Cup star fall agonisingly short.
Remarkably, the American’s finishing total of 267 over four rounds would’ve been good enough to win 140 of the last 145 Open Championships.
The Duel in the Sun II (as it has been dubbed) at Royal Troon will go down in history forever.
Thank you, 2016!
An Olympic return
Golf’s long-awaited (and controversial) return to the Olympics this year was somewhat overshadowed by the amount of top players pulling out of the competition.
None more high profile than Rory McIlroy who deemed the sport not fit to grace the games and conceded he wouldn’t even watch it.
Well, Rory. You missed out.
From the final day performance of Justin Rose to both the men’s and women’s events the part golf played during the Olympics cannot be understated.
Here’s to Tokyo 2020!
“I can’t hear you” – ‘Roary’ vs Reed
Something incredible happened at the Ryder Cup. Yes, golf was played and unfortunately Team USA triumphed under the stewardship of Captain Love.
But, Rory McIlroy’s passion, and in particular that “roaring” moment summed up one of the best Ryder Cup battles in recent memory.
Ladies and gentlemen, Rory McIlroy!#TeamEurope https://t.co/zoXiqBLDml
— Ryder Cup Team EUR (@RyderCupEurope) October 2, 2016
Patrick Reed vs Rory McIlroy on Sunday was a truly epic encounter as the pair went blow for blow with the American finally coming out on top much to Team Europe’s dismay.
Still, what a match!
Thank you, King!
[skylab_video id=”42054″]Six of the Best – Arnold Palmer[/skylab_video]
NCG editor, Dan Murphy, summed up Arnold Palmer perfectly:
“Unlike most sporting icons, it wasn’t primarily about the trophies he won; nor the technical mastery of his sport; nor the records he set.
“With Arnold Palmer, it was about the connection he made with, seemingly, every person he met. Not to mention the millions he didn’t, watching on from a distance, who saw something in this proud Pennsylvanian son of the working class that made them want to align themselves with him.”
Thank you, King. You’re sadly missed.
Have we missed any of the big 2016 golf moments? Let us know yours in the comments below!
Tom Irwin
Tom is a lifetime golfer, now over 30 years playing the game. 2023 marks 10 years in golf publishing and he is still holding down a + handicap at Alwoodley in Leeds. He has played over 600 golf courses, and has been a member of at least four including his first love Louth, in Lincolnshire. Tom likes unbranded clothing, natural fibres, and pencil bags. Seacroft in Lincolnshire is where it starts and ends.
