fbpx
masters playoff format

Was this the greatest shot ever hit at the Masters? 

Ten years ago Bubba Watson stunned the watching world with a piece of magic from a seemingly impossible position. But where does it stack up against five more other-worldly shots at Augusta?

 

Has it really been that long? It wasn’t just one of the best shots at the Masters, it was one of the most ridiculous even attempted in the competition’s storied history.  

Bubba Watson and Louis Oosthuizen had already tied the 18th hole as their sudden-death play-off in 2012 got underway at Augusta. 

And it looked like it would be a similar tale at the second hole – the par-4 10th – when both players hit poor drives from the tee. 

Oosthuizen, who had already had a contender of his own earlier that day with an albatross at the par-5 2nd, could only find the front of the green while Watson, deep in the wooded area to the right of Camellia, would need to something spectacular to get even close to the putting surface.  

What happened next was nothing short of a miracle. 

The left-hander, hitting a 52-degree wedge from 144 yards, managed to hook his ball at an almost 90-degree angle to within 10 feet of the hole. 

With Oosthuizen failing to get up and down, Watson was able to two putt his way to the first of two green jackets. Cue the waterworks.

So where does Watson’s 2012 effort sit among the best shots at the Masters? Here are five other contenders… 

What are the best shots at the Masters?

Gene Sarazen – 15th hole, 1935 

Best shots at the Masters

‘The shot heard around the world’ that put the Masters – or the Augusta National Invitation as it was known then – on the map. Sarazen holed out from 235 yards for the tournament’s first ever albatross to force a play-off with Craig Wood that he’d eventually go on to win. 

Larry Mize – 11th hole, 1987

Best shots at the Masters

Facing pre-tournament favourite Greg Norman in a play-off, Mize looked out of it when he misjudged his approach. But the Georgia native inexplicably chipped, sparking one of the best celebrations the patrons have ever witnessed and denying his Australian rival of the title he craved more than any other. 

Sandy Lyle – 18th hole, 1988

There are incredible shots, then there are incredible shots that win you a tournament, and then there are incredible shots that mark your place in golf history. Lyle’s 7-iron from the fairway bunker on the last set up a birdie that saw him crowned the first Masters champion from Great Britain. Our tiny island would hold onto the Green Jacket until 1992.   

Tiger Woods – 16th hole, 2005 

If not the best shot ever played at the Masters, certainly the most famous. In your life have you seen anything like that? 

Go on then, let’s have it from another angle…

Phil Mickelson – 13th hole, 2010

Phil Mickelson

Just the mere mention of Augusta’s pine needles has us flashing back to Mickelson’s magic on the par-5 they call Azalea. Sublime stuff. The fact he missed the putt doesn’t even matter, as Lefty went on to win his second Green Jacket. 

Now have your say

What are your best shots at the Masters? Are there some that aren’t on this list? Let us know what they are by leaving a comment on X.

Latest Posts

Augusta National Women's Amateur

The Masters

Augusta National Women’s Amateur: Everything you need to know

Read full article - Augusta National Women’s Amateur: Everything you need to know
rachel heck

News

Amateur golf star won’t turn professional after ‘gut-wrenching’ decision

Read full article - Amateur golf star won’t turn professional after ‘gut-wrenching’ decision
joe biden vs donald trump

News

Joe Biden pokes fun at Donald Trump after former President’s golf boast

Read full article - Joe Biden pokes fun at Donald Trump after former President’s golf boast
angel cabrera masters

The Masters

Former champion Angel Cabrera out of the Masters after visa denial

Read full article - Former champion Angel Cabrera out of the Masters after visa denial
tiger woods masters 2024

The Masters

Has Tiger Woods confirmed his spot at the Masters?

Read full article - Has Tiger Woods confirmed his spot at the Masters?
masters champions dinner

The Masters

Masters Champions Dinner: What’s been served down the years?

Read full article - Masters Champions Dinner: What’s been served down the years?
dp world tour 2024 schedule

DP World Tour

DP World Tour 2024 schedule and results

Read full article - DP World Tour 2024 schedule and results
liv golf schedule 2024

LIV Golf

LIV Golf schedule 2024: Every date, venue and result

Read full article - LIV Golf schedule 2024: Every date, venue and result
hailey davidson

News

Transgender golfer slams decision after being banned from women’s tour

Read full article - Transgender golfer slams decision after being banned from women’s tour