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Best of the Decade: The Best Golf Shots of the 2010’s

By Bill Felber

Jordan Spieth prepares to play his third shot from the practice range on the 13th hole during the final round of the 146th Open Championship at Royal Birkdale on July 23, 2017 in Southport, England. (Photo by Stuart Franklin/Getty Images)
Jordan Spieth prepares to play his third shot from the practice range on the 13th hole during the final round of the 146th Open Championship at Royal Birkdale on July 23, 2017 in Southport, England. (Photo by Stuart Franklin/Getty Images) /
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Rory McIlroy celebrates alongside his caddie J.P. Fitzgerald after holing a shot for eagle on the 16th hole during the final round of the Tour Championship at East Lake Golf Club on September 25, 2016 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Sam Greenwood/Getty Images)
Rory McIlroy celebrates alongside his caddie J.P. Fitzgerald after holing a shot for eagle on the 16th hole during the final round of the Tour Championship at East Lake Golf Club on September 25, 2016 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Sam Greenwood/Getty Images) /

9. Rory McIlroy, 16th hole, East Lake, 2016 Tour Championship

The record shows that Mcilroy actually won the Tour Championship at the conclusion of a four-hole playoff with Ryan Moore, and Kevin Chappell.

That’s true, but only technically. From the instant McIlroy holed out at the 16th hole Sunday, the outcome was effectively fore-ordained. Nobody could deny the winner’s momentum or his magic.

McIlroy came to the 16th, a 456-yard par four, trailing Chappell by three strokes and Moore by two. Even his lengthy drive inches into the first cut left him with the thin prospect of finishing birdie-birdie-birdie to earn a playoff spot.

Instead, McIlroy landed his 137-yard shot about seven feet short and left of the flag, the ball bouncing softly twice before easing into the cup for a critical eagle. Chappell’s bogey moments later at 17 affixed the three-way tie.

Moore could have won by sinking an eight-foot birdie putt at the 72nd hole of regulation play. It slid by.

Although fate may have dictated McIlroy‘s victory, it made him earn it in the playoff. On the first hole, he missed a six-foot eagle putt. On the second, he missed an 18-foot birdie putt that would have won. On the third, he holed a seven-footer to stay alive.

Ironically that brought the playoff back to the 16th hole, where McIlroy had struck his magical shot an hour earlier. He holed a 15-foot birdie putt to eliminate Moore and win the seasonal championship.

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