Top 10 in 2012: Best shots

Published December 5, 2012 11:00 AM

The top shots in 2012, from mind-bending shots to never-before-seen magic at the Masters.

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Needing to save par on the 72nd hole at The Olympic Club, Simpson hit a difficult chip shot to 3 feet to do just that. The up-and-down proved to be the difference in Simpson’s one-shot victory. (Getty)

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On the second hole of sudden death, Johnson hit a 6-iron, from 193 yards in a fairway bunker, inside a foot from the hole. He birdied to beat Troy Matteson. (Getty)

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Trying to chase down Rory McIlroy, Woods capped a closing 62 with an eagle on the par-5 18th, following a 5-iron from 216 yards, to 8 feet. (Getty)

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In a playoff with Rory McIlroy and D.A. Points, Fowler hit his approach shot to 4 feet on the first extra hole, then made the putt to capture his first PGA Tour victory. (Getty)

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Els made a 15-foot birdie on the final hole at Royal Lytham & St. Annes, which proved to be the winning putt. It gave Els his fourth career major title. (Getty)

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Trailing Phil Mickelson, 1 down, in a crucial singles match at the Ryder Cup, Rose made a 35-foot birdie on the par-3 17th to square the match, which he won on 18. (Getty)

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A heavily criticized captain’s pick, Kaymer made a 6-foot putt to defeat Steve Stricker in singles and ensure the European team would retain the Ryder Cup. (Getty)

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Oosthuizen flushed a 4-iron from 253 yards on the par-5 second in the final round of the Masters. The ball carried onto the green and rolled 80 feet into the cup. (Getty)

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Trailing by one, Woods chipped in for birdie on the par-4 16th to tie for the lead. It was vintage Tiger. He went on to win the tournament. (Getty)

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Trailing by one, Woods chipped in for birdie on the par-4 16th to tie for the lead. It was vintage Tiger. He went on to win the tournament. (Getty)

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Trailing by one, Woods chipped in for birdie on the par-4 16th to tie for the lead. It was vintage Tiger. He went on to win the tournament. (Getty)

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On the first hole of sudden death, Watson played a 40-yard hook shot out of the trees and onto the green, 10 feet from the hole. His par secured his first major. (Getty)

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Needing to save par on the 72nd hole at The Olympic Club, Simpson hit a difficult chip shot to 3 feet to do just that. The up-and-down proved to be the difference in Simpson’s one-shot victory. (Getty)

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On the second hole of sudden death, Johnson hit a 6-iron, from 193 yards in a fairway bunker, inside a foot from the hole. He birdied to beat Troy Matteson. (Getty)

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Trying to chase down Rory McIlroy, Woods capped a closing 62 with an eagle on the par-5 18th, following a 5-iron from 216 yards, to 8 feet. (Getty)

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In a playoff with Rory McIlroy and D.A. Points, Fowler hit his approach shot to 4 feet on the first extra hole, then made the putt to capture his first PGA Tour victory. (Getty)

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Els made a 15-foot birdie on the final hole at Royal Lytham & St. Annes, which proved to be the winning putt. It gave Els his fourth career major title. (Getty)

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Trailing Phil Mickelson, 1 down, in a crucial singles match at the Ryder Cup, Rose made a 35-foot birdie on the par-3 17th to square the match, which he won on 18. (Getty)

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A heavily criticized captain’s pick, Kaymer made a 6-foot putt to defeat Steve Stricker in singles and ensure the European team would retain the Ryder Cup. (Getty)

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Oosthuizen flushed a 4-iron from 253 yards on the par-5 second in the final round of the Masters. The ball carried onto the green and rolled 80 feet into the cup. (Getty)

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Trailing by one, Woods chipped in for birdie on the par-4 16th to tie for the lead. It was vintage Tiger. He went on to win the tournament. (Getty)

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Trailing by one, Woods chipped in for birdie on the par-4 16th to tie for the lead. It was vintage Tiger. He went on to win the tournament. (Getty)

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Trailing by one, Woods chipped in for birdie on the par-4 16th to tie for the lead. It was vintage Tiger. He went on to win the tournament. (Getty)

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On the first hole of sudden death, Watson played a 40-yard hook shot out of the trees and onto the green, 10 feet from the hole. His par secured his first major. (Getty)