Mickelson's Incredible Shot on 13.

[mtsalmela80]

Phil said it was relatively simple. He had 4-5 feet of open space between trees, that opening was only 10-20 feet away, his lie was in great shape.

[killerduck]

So we're in agree-ance (spelling??) Great shot, but possibly not as fantastic as it looked. But don't forget, he did put it to about 4 feet, on the skinny side of the hole. I thought he was amazing today. He looked (unsurprisingly) like a man on a mission. His family will appreciate his efforts today, but not as much as the support he has given during his wife's and mothers treatment. Honestly, I don't get how so many people like Tiger so much when he shuts himself off from the supporters who made him who he is. Phil is eternally grateful for his success, and is clearly appreciative of his fans. Just look at the way he walked out onto the 1st tee today.

All that aside, the shot of the masters (that I saw, anyway) was Adam Scott's eagle on 7 today. He must've walked about 50m in the time it took for the ball to land and go into the hole! Unbelievable! But that was the shot of the masters, not the 'defining shot' of the masters, which was Phil's for mine.

[noflyzone]

A great shot is when you go for it and pull it off. A smart shot is when you don't have the guts to try it. ~ Phil Mickelson.

This quote will be heard/seen more than anything. Classic.

[9iron]

I agree, noflyzone. Lefty's quote will be recalled often, and with great fondness because he pulled it all off.

I think Phil could land that shot somewhere on the green 7 times out of 10, but the fact he did it with the entire tournament on the line is what separates the shot and makes it spectacular. Phil's shot in the final round last year on 8 where he bent the ball about 70 yards and ended up 2 feet from the pin was more difficult (no way anyone can do that 7 times out of 10), but the penalty for not completing that shot would have been no worse than the outcome for playing it safe. Not pulling off the shot on 13 yesterday is at least one stroke and maybe two strokes difference, and maybe the championship!

Phil the Thrill is Back!

[laconic517]

He ruined it by missing the putt. His stroke looked really jerky on the eagle putt.

[sean_miller]

He ruined it by missing the putt. His stroke looked really jerky on the eagle putt.

If he was destined to miss that putt, at least it was for eagle. He still made 4.

Regarding the difficulty, pine straw is tricky because of the stance as well. That would have been a great approach from the middle of the fairway - love him or hate him you gotta admit the guy's got style!

[iacas]

He ruined it by missing the putt. His stroke looked really jerky on the eagle putt.

Agreed that ruined it to a big extent. No longer the shot of the tournament because he missed. That goes to his stretch on Saturday, I think.

[DavidFehertysBike]

It ranks up there i guess. Definatly one of the best trouble shots ive seen. But it wasnt as good as YE Yangs hybrid shot over the trees at the PGA, IMO. That was the best shot ive ever seen. As Phil said in the interview, it was just a stock six iron for him. He just had to trust the decison, which he did. Id bet phil pulls that shot off 8 out 10 times.

[jurban05]

can anyone put the video on here? i still havn't seen the shot.....

[Shanks A Million]

Agreed that ruined it to a big extent. No longer the shot of the tournament because he missed. That goes to his stretch on Saturday, I think.

Yeah, totally agree with that. I mean, 6" from a third eagle? That's

sick ! I think you were right when you said that with a solid fundimental swing, Phil would beat Tiger everytime.

[BonoVox]

So we're in agree-ance (spelling??) Great shot, but possibly not as fantastic as it looked.

I think it is probably safe to say he did not fire at that pin. The fact he got within 4 feet was because he did not hit it where he wanted. But no big deal that is how golf is played.

Sometimes you aim for the center of the green and if the ball draws or cuts towards the pin great. If not you are in the center of the green. Was it Hogan that used to say on 11 he would aim right of the green and if you ever saw him on the green it was because he pulled it?

[BallStriker]

He ruined it by missing the putt. His stroke looked really jerky on the eagle putt.

I think that is the popular sentiment, but the fact is that shot guaranteed a birdie to open up a multiple shot lead....but we could argue all day over whether the shot was tarnished by the missed putt.

I have my opinion, and I respect your opinion as well.

[MrKadash]

Based on his reaction post round, TV must have made it out to be more than what it was. He seemed to downplay it in the sense that he's had more difficult shots in his career that he's pulled off than that one. No question a great shot given the circumstances.

[Leftygolfer]

That was the best round I've ever seen him play. Yeah he missed the putt but he did what was important and made the come backer. He made so many putts and key up and downs, that was again, the best round I've ever seen him play. Look at the shots he hit: Up and Downs after terrible drives 10,11, 13, that shot, 14 great shot and putt, 15, perfectly played, 16, perfect, 17 bad second shot but great 2nd putt, and 18, actually hit the 3 wood and won the tournement. What a round!!!

[plugged]

I was stunned

I was too. I literally leaped off the couch and screamed "oh my goodness, I can't believe it". My wife came running in yelling "what? what?" I said "that is the most incredible golf shot I have ever seen." One day later, I still hold to that statement.

[Tiger Spuds]

can anyone put the video on here? i still havn't seen the shot.....

Apologies it's not in English, can't find anything better on YouTube.

[saevel25]

What i loved was the discussion between him and his Caddy. His caddy told him, definetly enough to get it over the front of the green. When he said that, i thought he would take one more club and make sure its center of the green, not put the ball 2 yards from being in the creak. That was nuts. I don't care what you say, a shot from the fairway isn't gaurenteed to get there or stay safe. he had two trees, pine straw.. the golf course saying, "Bring it on, Phil" This is what the master's is suppose to be about. The insane chip from Tiger years ago, to this shot, to Freddy's miracle save on the par three in the early 90's.

[Chas]

It was a spectacular looking shot to be sure, but I sensed that Phil played it with a lot of confidence in the outcome, i.e. he didn't consider it that risky of a shot. To me it seemed that Phil was playing calmly and within himself the whole day, unlike on other occasions when he'd get too keyed up when in contention and you sensed a bad decision might come at any moment .... His short game was firing as usual and he was reading the greens well so his chances of an up-and-down if he'd ended up in the creek were very good - not such a big downside.

Westwood hung in there to the end which was very good to see. Terrific drive on 18, must have been ~40 yds ahead of Phil's 3W. Lee should be proud of himself - another year maybe. Just great that Phil ended with a bridie.