Quick 9: This is how you celebrate winning a major

Do you remember when Brooks Koepka sank his final putt on the 18th hole at Erin Hills last year?

Probably not, because it was incredibly underwhelming.

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Golf, typically, is a sport characterised by the control of emotions. But some of golf’s greatest moments have come when players have dropped their masks and their emotions come bursting out as that final putt finds its mark.

Here, we take your through some of the best major celebrations from down the years…

Arnold Palmer, 1960 US Open

Displayed as a motif on the 18th flag at Erin Hills during the US Open, Arnold Palmer throwing his visor into the air at Cherry Hills in 1960 is iconic. It was his celebration after producing one of the greatest comebacks in major history. Palmer found himself in 15th place and seven shots behind leader Mike Souchak after 54 holes. But a stunning 65 from Palmer and a collapse from Souchak saw the former claim his first and only US Open title.

Seve Ballesteros, 1984 Open Championship

Three-time Open winner and double Masters winner Seve Ballesteros considered the 1984 Open at St Andrews as his greatest ever victory. The Spaniard held off the charge of Tom Watson, who was chasing a third straight title and looking to equal Harry Vardon’s record of six Open titles. But Seve held his nerve to par the tricky 17th and then clinched the crown with a birdie at the last. Ballesteros’ fist-pump celebration is now an iconic symbol closely associated with the late champion.

Larry Mize, 1987 Masters

Considered by many the greatest endings to a major championship, Larry Mize produced a chip shot masterclass at the 1987 Masters to leave Greg Norman humbled. The tournament boiled down to a sudden death play-off between Mize, Norman and Seve Ballesteros. After Ballesteros bogeyed the first play-off hole, the par-4 10th, Mize and Norman continued to the par-4 11th. Mize’s approach to the green landed well to the right, while the Shark’s ball was on the fringe of the putting surface. Mize produced a career-defining chip shot that trickled towards the hole and fell in for a birdie. Cue Mize legging it round the green arms aloft.

Hale Irwin, 1990 US Open

At the age of 45, it would have been reasonable to assume that Hale Irwin’s major-winning days were long behind him at the 1990 US Open. His last major crown – which was also a US Open – came 11 years earlier. Playing well ahead of the leaders on the final day at Medinah, the American fired an impressive 67, including an improbable 45-foot putt on the last which prompted a lap of honour and high-fives with spectators. Overnight leader Mike Donald could only tie with Irwin and it led to a play-off. Irwin again had a battle on his hands – fighting his way back from two behind with three to play to draw level. It led to the first sudden death play-off in US Open history, which Irwin won with a birdie at the par-4 1st to become the oldest winner of the championship.

Ben Crenshaw, 1995 Masters

1984 Masters champion Ben Crenshaw would have been forgiven for missing the 1995 tournament given it came just days after the death of his golf instructor, Harvey Penick. Crenshaw and Tom Kite attended the funeral in Texas on the Wednesday and did not return to Augusta until that night, on the eve of the first round. But Crenshaw produced one of the most controlled displays of his career to pip Davis Love III to the title by one stroke. With his head in his hands on the 18th, claiming his second Masters jacket against the odds was an overwhelming experience.

Phil Mickelson, 2004 Masters

In what was one of the greatest duels in Masters history, Phil Mickelson had to sink 20-foot putt on the last to finally see off the challenge of Ernie Els. The pair exchanged great shot after great shot, birdie after birdie in an epic encounter. But Mickelson would finally claim that elusive first major and his star jump celebration was captured for posterity.

Tiger Woods, 2006 Open Championship

“I really felt my dad was with me on that one round,” said Tiger Woods, reflecting on his victory at the 2006 Open at Hoylake just months after his father’s death. “It was like having a 15th club. I felt that type of peace when I was out there.” The public perception of Woods is often that of a recluse but golf fans were given a rare glimpse of the person inside as the tears flowed on the 18th green at Royal Liverpool.

Tiger Woods, 2008 US Open

This one was always going to make the list wasn’t it? In the 2008 US Open, Tiger Woods drained a huge birdie putt on the 18^th green to force a playoff with Rocco Mediate. Both players would come back to the course on Monday to settle things in the 18-hole playoff. When Mediate bogeyed 9 and 10, Woods had a three-stroke lead and things looked all but over. But Mediate struck back with birdies at 13, 14 and 15 to take the lead. Of course, Woods would birdie the 18^th again to send the playoff into a…sudden death playoff. Mediate bogeyed the extra hole and Woods had his miracle victory.

Y.E. Yang, 2009 PGA Championship

The biggest upset in a major? South Korean Y.E. Yang, ranked 110 in the world going into the 2009 PGA Championship, pipped the mighty Tiger Woods to the crown. It was the first time the then world No. 1 had failed to win a major after holding at least a share of the 54-hole lead. It was also the first major victory for a male player born in Asia. So it was no wonder Yang went crazy with his celebrations – bizarrely power-lifting his bag.

I have seen golfing hell – its name is Shinnecock Hills

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