Mickelson's Incredible Shot on 13.

[killerduck]

Phil Mickelson from the pine needles in the trees to about 4 feet. I know he didn't make the eagle putt but it guaranteed birdie.

How does it rank among the best shots ever/masters/phil's career/ whatever

I was stunned

[xDeathFollowsDaybreakx]

gutsiest shot i have ever seen... when he hit that one, i kinda figured it was in the cards for him... great day!!

[authentic_golfer]

Thought he was crazy to even try, given his 2-shot lead, possibility of rinsing it and making double.

Astounding shot, easily his career best considering the stakes, etc...

Cheers,
Sean

[clubchamp]

It was a heck of shot that's for sure but I'm wondering how difficult it really was for him. He sounded fully confident he could hit it and if he rinsed it I still think he saves par. You figure with his short game getting up and down wouldn't have been an issue.

[DaSportsGuy]

Couldn't believe it. But those are the shots it takes to win at Augusta.

[saevel25]

He did it from the pine needles... david duval had a shot from the fairway and put it in the creek, when he was good and had a shot at winning it. Honestly its nuts, with his wedge game i don't know why he ever goes for it.

[Chilli Dipper]

It was a career-defining shot. None of Phil's three previous major victories had an example of his go-for-broke style of play people love and hate him for. It was a 2 or 3 times out of 10 shot; the likely mis-hit short or pull right would have certainly found the creek and likely bogey. Bones was desperately trying to talk Phil out of it, but he'd already decided to play for all or nothing. Somehow, he hit it perfectly.

[pherg]

He probably went for it because of his great short game. Say it goes in the creek, he drops down in front of the green and only has to get up and down for a Par. With his shortgame he probably figured he could do this anyway. Awesome shot. Definitely in my top shots.

[Titleist_ProV1x]

Phil Mickelson from the pine needles in the trees to about 4 feet. I know he didn't make the eagle putt but it guaranteed birdie.

No doubt that was one of the all time greatest shots in golf, Bobby Jones would have been proud, and we'll be seeing that shot for a long time to come on the golf channels top 10 major miracle shots, LOL

[Ben]

I was watching something about golf recently where the quote "you can lay-up when you're dead" was said. I wish I remember where I heard this, I know it was this week. Anyway, that's what was going through my head when I saw what he was about to do.

Not to discount the shot, it most certainly was great! Particularly with so much on the line. But with 205y and plenty of room behind the pin it really wasn't that crazy to go for. He had 5 iron at most in his had and probably 6. They never showed the lie but to go for that I'd imagine it was sitting up pretty nice. Hitting a 5 or 6 you really aren't going for that huge a divot. Pick it clean, hit a good shot. I'm sure he was 100% confident that he'd pull the shot. Other then the yardage to clear, I'd imagine "creek" nor "water" were anywhere near his thoughts.

I think every shot on his last three holes today were the real star shots. I mean he did go bogey free today. But, he just looked so calm and collected over those holes. Great finish!

[BonoVox]

Unreal for sure. Couple of yards (maybe feet) and he is in the creek!! But I think all in all not so bad for him. Westwood on Friday (mad man) through the trees much more LUCKY of a shot. Phil's I am pretty sure put club on ball and he is safe.

So best shots ever. IMHO not there. Yes he cut between to two tree trunks in front of him. But they were so close to him I doubt they were in his mind.

[enis750]

simply amazing

[Shanks A Million]

I was watching something about golf recently where the quote "you can lay-up when you're dead" was said. I wish I remember where I heard this, I know it was this week. Anyway, that's what was going through my head when I saw what he was about to do.

I don't think it was even about that. You could see that he had a tree in his followthrough (which he hit), and he had to also get the ball through some branches. The chance of him hitting something, or screwing it up were astronomical. Good lie or not, the actual mental anguish of knowing you're going to hit a tree with your club, and knowing a major is on the line, were far more demanding. He knew if he failed, it would be again and again played on GC's "Major Meltdowns," and heck, he already had the #1 Major Meltdown of all time, so why try to sweep the top 2?

That takes guts. When you've been there and let it all slip away, that's painful. And to top it off, when you're the constant 2nd fiddle of your entire generation, and you have a chance, to finally dethrone #1 in his big comeback. It was the chance that one gets once in a lifetime, and there is no second chance. That's what made it so exceptional, that he, as Roy McAvoy would have been proud of, is he defined the moment.

[Divot Tool]

Off pine straw, with a tree in front of him. . . how difficult was it? Your thoughts please.

[Zeph]

It was a good shot, but not astronomically difficult. I didn't see a closeup of the lie, so I can't tell if it was good or bad, but where the ball lies doesn't make that much of a difference. The pine needles offer less resistance, but the ball won't care if it sits on pine needles or a tee. As long as you hit the ball first, you are good. The biggest challenge was the tree, which it sounds like he just touched with the toe. Still, it was not blocking his swing or ball flight.

The shot looked dramatic because of the tree. Without it, it wouldn't have looked too hard. Lots of good shots were hit off the pine needles. Faldo commented a few times that the needles are hard to hit off, but like I said, you hit the ball first, so it won't matter. There is of course always the possibility of sliding the feet on them, but as long as you don't swing out of your shoes, it's not too big of a problem. The weight is on the front foot, which stands pretty erect at impact, so the rear foot can slide a bit without it being a problem.

I won't say I would've pulled it off, but I'm not the worlds number three (or two again?) golfer.

[Tiger Spuds]

Took serious guts to try it in the last round with 5 holes to go, but that's Phil.Completely overshadowed Tiger's similarly amazing attempt earlier in the round.Phil's was better because it was over water and he got it closer.Easily the most exciting player on tour to watch.

[chilly]

I realize it was a decent opening close to him, but he still had to hit it through the trees and not try to steer it, he had a tree in his follow through, and then the creek to contend with. Then there's the fact that he stuck it that close. Then consider that even with a great lie, pine needles are a different footing to put another variable in your mind. I realize Phil is crazy long with irons, but a 207yd 6i is ridiculous.

[finoky]

I have seen the replay countless times now and to me it is one of the most amazing shots I have ever seen. Hitting to that green with that pin location has to be nerve racking enough. Attempting that shot brought a whole lot of different numbers he could have made into play. Given all the difficulty factors along with the gravity of the situation Phil was facing and I give him mad props for pulling it off.