The best putts of the last 20 years, as presented by “The Golf Book.”
The best putts of the last 20 years, as presented by “The Golf Book.”
After a long drive and a flubbed pitch on the 72nd hole of the 1995 Open Championship at St. Andrews, Costantino Rocca made a 60-foot birdie putt from the Valley of Sin to force a playoff with eventual champion John Daly. Rocca didn’t win, but his drop-to-his-knees, pound-his-fists-into-the-green celebration was almost as good as the putt. (Getty Images)
After a birdie at the par-4 17th, Mark O’Meara played the 18th hole at Augusta National in the 1998 Masters tied for the lead. He took the lead for good when his 20 footer on the 18th green fell, giving him a one-shot victory over David Duval and Fred Couples. (Getty Images)
Down 10-6 heading into Sunday Singles at the 1999 Ryder Cup, the United States completed its epic comeback at Brookline when Justin Leonard made a putt from over 40 feet away to secure at least a half-point in his match and the cup for the U.S., prompting an early, controversial celebration from the Americans. (Getty Images)
Three words come to mind: “Better ... than ... most.” Putting from the upper tier of No. 17’s island green at TPC Sawgrass during the 2001 Players Championship, Tiger Woods played his severely downhill putt right-to-left then left-to-right and finally into the hole. Woods’ fist pump and announcer Gary Koch’s famed call remain inseparable. (Getty Images)
Once again, somebody bested Phil Mickelson in a major with his final putt. In this case, it was David Toms, who rolled in a par putt on the 72nd hole at Atlanta Athletic Club to win his first major.(Getty Images)
“Is it his time?” It was. Tied with Ernie Els at 8-under par, Phil Mickelson secured his first major victory when his birdie putt on the 72nd hole just snuck is the left side of the cup. The putt capped a back-nine 30 for Mickelson and sent flying (not so) high into the air. (Getty Images)
Needing birdie to force a Monday playoff with Rocco Mediate at the 2008 U.S. Open at Torrey Pines, Tiger Woods snuck his downhill putt inside the right edge and celebrated in signature Tiger fashion - both fists in the air, screaming. Expect anything different? (Getty Images)
Unlike Sergio Garcia, Padraig Harrington couldn’t keep his ball out of the hole. Harrington needed only 11 putts during a back-nine 32 at the 2008 PGA Championship to best Sergio by one. Paddy saved his best for last, holing a 14-footer for par on the 72nd green to win his second straight major. (Getty Images)
Playing the anchor match against Hunter Mahan with the U.S. and Europe tied 13 1/2 to 13 1/2, Graeme McDowell went dormie and effectively shut the door on the Americans on the 16th green. After an iron approach that left him above the hole, McDowell snaked his putt down the slope and into the hole, going 2 up with two holes to play. Mahan would concede the match and the Ryder Cup on the next hole. (Getty Images)
She needed a miracle, and she got one. Putting for eagle from 75 feet on her second playoff against Azahara Munoz, Paula Creamer somehow matched the right line with the right speed. Her putt started well right of the hole - nowhere near it, in fact - before sliding down a hill, to the left, and dead in the heart of the cup. (Getty Images)