Top 5 of 2007: Best shots that no one remembered
 
Dec. 6, 2007

Other '07 Best-ofs: Finishes | Greatest Moments | Videos | Quotes

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5. Hunter Mahan's drive on the first hole of the Travelers Championship playoff

Why no one remembers it: Mahan won the playoff over Jay Williamson after sticking a wedge to 2 feet for the winning birdie
Why the shot was so good: Mahan is one of the longest straight hitters on TOUR (or one of the straightest long hitters, you decide). His tee shot on the first hole of the playoff blew by Williamson, who isn't exactly Corey Pavin off the tee. Mahan hit a 300-yard bomb on a string -- under pressure -- that allowed him a mere pitching wedge into a tough pin. Game over. Welcome to the life of a TOUR winner. See you at the Masters.
Video: Round 4 recap of the Travelers Championship

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No. 4: Steve Stricker's lob wedge on the 72nd hole of The Barclays

Why no one remembers it: Stricker wasn't really in danger of losing a one-shot lead on the par-5 18th at Westchester Country Club.
Why the shot was so good: Stricker hadn't won on TOUR in 10 years. Stricker is near the bottom on the PGA TOUR when it comes to prowess off the tee -- he was 168th in Total Driving in 2007 -- but Stricker is arguably the best pitcher on TOUR, leading in approaches from 100 to 125 yards (he placed them an average of 15 feet from the hole). On the long par-5 18th, Stricker laid up to a perfect lob-wedge length, then stuck the shot to an optimal spot 10 feet below the hole. From there, Stricker drained the putt for a two-shot victory.
Video: Round 4 Recap of The Barclays

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No. 3: Brian Bateman's 8-iron to 12 feet on the 72nd hole of the Buick Open

Why no one remembers it: Bateman holed the putt to win by a shot over Jason Gore, Justin Leonard and Woody Austin. The win was the first for Bateman, who had earned his PGA TOUR card by a single shot at the 2006 PGA TOUR Qualifying Tournament.
Why the shot was so good: Bateman had to know that a birdie would avoid a four-man playoff, where anything can happen. He had only made about $60,000 for the year heading into Warwick Hills, and the pressure to birdie the hole had to be intense. Even so, Bateman struck a perfect 8-iron from 164 yards that stopped a mere 12 feet from the hole, and he calmly rammed in the putt for a two-year exemption, a trip to the Masters, and $882,000.
Recap: Round 4 of the Buick Open

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No. 2: Ernie Els nearly breaks Boo Weekley's heart at the Verizon Heritage

Why no one remembers it: Els didn't hole out for eagle to force a playoff with the loveable Weekley, who chipped in twice in the final two holes for par.
Why the shot was so good: Because it nearly went in. On the iconic par-4 18th at Harbour Town, Els needed an eagle to tie Weekley in a rare Monday finish on the PGA TOUR. After driving into the fairway, Els nearly did it -- his approach flirted with the cup before settling 20 inches away.
Video: Els talks about coming up short

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No. 1: Zach Johnson's brilliant chip on the 72nd hole of The Masters

Why no one remembers it: The shot was a lot harder than it looked on TV. PGA TOUR regulars -- especially those with Johnson's talent -- are expected to get up-and-down on a regular basis.
Why the shot was so good: The chip came after Johnson experienced one of the low points of his tournament. After hitting a good drive on the long, uphill 18th, Johnson shoved a 6-iron far right of the green, nearly burying it in the bunker. Johnson had to negotiate a leading edge of the green and then run it several dozen feet to the hole, which was tucked in its traditional spot on the left side of the green. Johnson took a wedge and ran the ball perfectly to 2 feet, all but ensuring the biggest win of his career.
Video: Johnson tours New York after his win at Augusta