2014 was another thrilling year for golf fans, with Rory McIlroy continuing to establish himself as the world’s best player. But it wasn’t just the Northern Irishman who caught the eye with some incredible shots during the season.
There have been arguments all around the world as to which were the best golf shots of the year. From Rory McIlroy to Tiger Woods, Bubba Watson to Phil Mickelson, there hasn’t been a shortage of contenders of shot of the season among the year’s sporting highlights.
1. Bubba Watson – HSBC Champions in Shanghai
In another memorable season for Bubba Watson, the big-hitting lefty showed what he is all about when holing an incredible bunker shot on the 18th to force the tournament into a play-off. From there, Watson went on to beat Tim Clark and add another title to his growing collection.
2. Matt Kuchar – RBC Heritage
Matt Kuchar’s bunker shot on the final hole of the RBC Heritage at Harbour Town Golf Links was not only impressive because of the toughness of the shot but also because it played a massive role in the American going on to beat Luke Donald by a single shot to claim victory.
3. Matt Jones – Shell Houston Open
Matt Kuchar was on the wrong end of a brilliant chip in on this occasion as Matt Jones holed a perfect chip to win during the play-off at the Shell Houston Open. The Australian had already holed a birdie putt from 30 feet to take the tournament into sudden death and his fabulous chip was a shot worthy of winning any tournament.
4. Martin Kaymer – Players Championship
In what is widely considered to be the ‘fifth major’, Martin Kaymer reminded the world just how good he is on the way to beating Jim Furyk to the title when holing a brilliant 28-foot putt before wrapping up the title ahead of the American.
5. Phil Mickelson – The Barclays
Like his long-time rival, Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson endured a tough season in 2014. But as ever with Mickelson, the left-hander has maintained his presence among the favourites with the likes of betfair when it comes to the majors due to his fabulous recovery ability. The outrageous chip out of the hospitality area on the fifth at Ringwood Country Club showed the 44-year old still has it.
6. Victor Dubuisson – WGC Accenture Match Play Championship
The Frenchman really burst on to the scene in 2014 and his incredible up-and-down in the final of the WGC Accenture Match Play Championship at Dove Mountain showed just how good Victor Dubuisson is, chipping out from under a cactus in the desert course to land four feet from the pin on his way to a second-place finish.
7. Rory McIlroy – US PGA Championship
The Northern Irishman’s three wood from 281 yards on the 10th at Valhalla in the final round will live long in the memory, finishing eight feet from the pin and opening the door to a crucial eagle that helped Rory McIlroy to his second major title of the season.
8. Billy Horschel – Tour Championship
Not only was Billy Horschel’s 30-foot putt for par on the 16th hole in the final round of the Tour Championship a fantastic shot, it helped the 28-year-old to go on and win $11.4million in prize money.
9. Rory McIlroy – Honda Classic
The year of 2014 was definitely Rory McIlroy’s, winning two majors and continuing his claim as the world’s best player. Among his various accolades and titles, Rory McIlroy will also remember last season for the miraculous 245-yard five wood he sent to a protected pin on the final round at the PGA National in Florida. He landed the ball a mere eight feet from the flag.
10. Tiger Woods: WGC-Cadillac Championship
In what was another injury-plagued year for the 14-time major winner, there were some high points for Tiger Woods and signs that the American could finally be getting back to his best. One particular highlight was undoubtedly the 92-foot putt he made to birdie the fourth hole at Doral’s Blue Monster course.