Tiger's Greatest Shots - Six of the Best
This month's Hero World Challenge will see Tiger Woods' long-awaited return to competitive golf and it's got us here at Hole19 just a little bit nostalgic.
Tiger has provided some of the most memorable moments us golf fans have ever witnessed, and whittling his highlight reel down to a 'Six of the Best' was a difficult task, to say the least.
Anyway, let's have a look at what we've come up with as our favourite Tiger Woods shots through the years.
'Better than Most' putt - TPC Sawgrass (2001)
Talk to anyone about TPC Sawgrass and the discussion will quickly turn to its iconic 17th hole. It is a hole famed for its island green and one that has humbled many a golfer through the years.
When Tiger faced a 60ft snaking downhill putt during his third round at the 2001 Player Championship, many would have expected a two-putt at best.
What followed was a moment of golfing brilliance and a piece of commentary gold which is almost as famous as the putt itself.
Almost, but not quite though.
Chip in during Masters - Augusta National (2005)This is arguably the most impressive shot of Tiger Woods' glittering golfing career; it's certainly our favourite.
After hitting an 8-iron left of the target and into a terrible lie below the green and close up to a collar of rough some 50 feet from the hole, Tiger was faced with a shot to a lightning fast green and of immeasurable difficulty.
He managed to pull off what can only be described as a truly awesome chip shot. Without it, he would have been robbed of the playoff victory against Chris DiMarco which ensued.
PGA Championship - 3-iron from bunker (2002)This was a shot so impressive that Tiger has previously, without hesitation, selected it as his own best ever. During his second round of the 2002 PGA Championship at Hazeltine, Tiger found himself in all sorts of trouble off the tee.
In the bunker, and with its lip a definite concern, Tiger also had to battle a downhill lie and wind hitting hard from the left - not to mention the trees which blocked his path to the green. He hit it flush and the ball drew against the wind to finish eight feet from the hole and managed to sink his birdie putt.
Alas, it was to be a championship that the 14-time major winner would not add to his collection, as compatriot Rich Beem walked away with the Wanamaker Trophy on this occasion.
Chip in at the Memorial Tournament (2012)As one of the more recent Tiger Woods moments, the chip-in at Muirfield Village back in 2012 is no less impressive.
Chipping from a downhill lie and on to green which raced away from him, with the threat of water long, Tiger managed to execute a perfect flop shot. The ball somehow landed softly on the baked-out green and, at one point, looked like it may come up short of the hole.
Thankfully, the ball soon disappeared to send the watching gallery into raptures. It was a shot so good that the great Jack Nicklaus coined it as the "most unbelievable" he had ever seen.
Hole-in-one at Milwaukee Open (1996)If we are doing the nostalgia thing, why not go all the way back to Tiger's first tournament as a professional golfer.
Amazingly, the then 20-year-old stood upon the tee at the 202-yard 14th hole at Brown Deer Park Golf Course and smoked a 6-iron that never left the flag. The ball did the decent thing and disappeared for an unbelievable ace.
The resultant Tiger 'fist-pump' had its first outing on the professional circuit.
Chip-in at Torrey Pines - U.S. Open (2008)This is in here more for the demonstration of mental strength against adversity than for the shot itself.
Don't get us wrong, the holed chip shot out of a nasty lie during the 2008 U.S. Open is more than deserving of a place on the highlight reel, but Tiger played at Torrey Pines with a severely damaged knee and a fractured tibia.
The fact that the prevailed to win a 14th major championship still leaves us awestruck.
Which Tiger moments over the years stand out to you? Have we missed any obvious ones? Let us know below.
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