Quick 9: Best shots on links courses
Here at NCG we’re celebrating Links Week, so, we thought it would be a good idea to look at some of the greatest shots ever played on the most traditional format of our great game.
Tiger Woods, Pebble Beach, 2010 U.S Open
Tiger was left with around 260-yards to the green on the final hole during his third round at the 2010 US Open.
However, he had one slight obstacle, Woods was obstructed by one of the two trees that are in the middle of the 18th fairway.
It was no problem for the then world number 1 who simply went around the ‘obstacle’ and found the green in two.
Justin Rose, Royal Birkdale, 1998 Open Championship
A fresh faced Justin Rose burst on to the scene at the 1998 Open Championship at Royal Birkdale in tremendous fashion.
On the final hole of the championship Rose had left himself a 50 yard shot from the rough.
The Englishman landed his chip perfectly and the ball dropped into the bottom of the cup to finish at two over par for the tournament.
Rory McIlroy, Royal Liverpool, 2014 Open Championship
Rory McIlroy was looking to create some daylight between himself and the rest of the Open Championship field during his third round n 2014.
He had just gone eagle, bogey on the 16th and 17th hole and was in prime position on the 18th fairway.
He hit a brilliant 2-iron approach shot to set-up another eagle opportunity and hold a six shot lead heading in to the final days play.
Michael Phelps, Kingsbarns, 2012 Alfred Dunhill Links
Something slightly different…
This time swimmer Michael Phelps created a moment that golf fans wouldn’t forget.
The 18-time gold medalist holed one of the longest putts ever televised, measuring at 159 feet on the par 4 6th at Kingsbarns.
Costantino Rocca, St Andrews, 1995 Open Championship
John Daly had set the clubhouse lead at the 1995 Open championship, Costantino Rocca needed to get up and down for birdie to force a play-off.
Unfortunately, he fatted his chip shot and found himself in the “Valley of Sin”.
The cameras then turned to American Daly who looked like he was about to be crowned Open champion – what happened next was incredible.
Rocca rolled in an odds defying putt to force the play-off that had looked so unlikely but would go on to lose at the second time of asking.
Thomas Pieters, Carnoustie, 2016 Alfred Dunhill Links
Usually a par 4 that measures 407 yards would be off limits even for the best golfers in the world.
But, not for Belgian Thomas Pieters who drove the green in one at the 7th hole at Carnoustie.
Happy Birthday @Thomas_Pieters ?
Here’s the Belgian taking on the green at the 407 yard seventh hole at Carnoustie. pic.twitter.com/oqzu42gvw9
— The European Tour (@EuropeanTour) January 27, 2017
Ernie Els, Royal Troon, 2004 Open Championship
It’s rare you’ll see a hole-in-one at the Postage Stamp (8th hole) at Royal Troon.
In 2004, Ernie Els drew flashbacks to Gene Sarazen’s famous shot in 1973.
The South African’s wedge shot bounced pin high before checking back and rolling into the hole.
Tom Watson, Turnberry, 1977 Open Championship
The battle between Tom Watson and Jack Nicklaus in 1977 was branded the ‘duel in the sun’ by many.
The championship came down to the very last hole.
Nicklaus had hit his tee shot near the gorse bushes down the right hand side of the hole while Watson was in the middle of the fairway.
Watson put the pressure on Nicklaus by hitting a phenomenal shot to within a matter of a few feet to set up a one shot victory.
Jordan Spieth, Royal Birkdale, 2017 Open Championship
Following possibly the most ridiculous bogey in Open history Jordan Spieth settled his nerves on the 14th hole as he nearly holed out on the 200 yard par 3.
The American’s shot set up a birdie to swing momentum back in his favour as he went on to lift the Claret Jug earlier this year.
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Matthew Beedle
Matthew has been playing golf since he was around 13 and took up the game at a local nine-hole municipal course with his friends before joining Pontefract & District Golf Club just over the hedge.
Still a member of Pontefract with a handicap of 3, he currently sits on the board of directors to help with digital and marketing initiatives in order to improve membership and visitor income.
Matthew graduated university with a First Class in Sports Journalism from Leeds Trinity University and has been working in the golf industry since graduating.
NCG’s social media & marketing manager, Matthew’s main job role is to increase website traffic to the National Club Golfer website via our email and social media channels as well as driving entries to grow our NCG Top 100s Tour events amongst other tasks.
Not one to change his equipment too often, Matthew currently plays the TaylorMade M2 driver which has lasted the test of time in his bag. Elsewhere, you’ll find him using the TaylorMade Stealth 2 three-wood with a Ping G425 Crossover 2-iron to aid his long game.
Through his 4-iron to Gap Wedge, Matthew uses the Ping i500 irons accompanied by Ping’s Glide 3.0 56-degree and 60-degree wedges.
Another club that has stood the test of time in his bag is a Nike Method Core MC-3i putter which has had to have the SuperStroke grip changed at least three times. Ball of choice is the Titleist ProV1.
