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Top 10 shots in the history of The Masters

By Luke Norris

AUGUSTA, GA - APRIL 08: Bubba Watson of the United States plays at a shot from the rough on second sudden death playoff hole on the 10th during the final round of the 2012 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 8, 2012 in Augusta, Georgia. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
AUGUSTA, GA - APRIL 08: Bubba Watson of the United States plays at a shot from the rough on second sudden death playoff hole on the 10th during the final round of the 2012 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 8, 2012 in Augusta, Georgia. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) /
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2. Tiger Woods, 16th hole (2005)

Okay, okay, okay. There are plenty of you reading this that may not think that this shot deserves to be as high as it is on this list and you maybe have a point, especially given all of the other greatness you’ve seen here. However, there is no denying that this is one of the most memorable moments and shots in golf history and coupled with the fact that it’s this particular individual that has to play a part in this.

The 2005 Masters essentially turned into a David vs. Goliath story. On one hand, you had Tiger Woods, who at the time had already won three green jackets and eight total major championships. Then there was Chris DiMarco, who had won three PGA Tour events, the last coming at the Phoenix Open in 2002. DiMarco was one of those guys that always seemed to be around the top of the leaderboard but couldn’t really seal the deal all that often. However, after getting into a playoff at the PGA Championship in 2004, the last major before this one, and losing by just one stroke, he was determined to finally win the big one.

DiMarco opened strong with consecutive rounds of 67 to take a four-stroke lead into the third round. The weather played a big part in this tournament but that wouldn’t stop DiMarco in his quest. Tiger didn’t start particularly well and was seven off the lead after an opening-round 74. However, he fought back in the second round with a 66 but was still six off the pace in third place.

Play was suspended midway through the third round and DiMarco still had a four-shot lead on Woods. However, he entered the final round three shots back after stumbling to a 74 while Tiger shot a 65. Tiger held the same three-shot lead heading into the back nine of the final round but DiMarco hung around and hung around and by the time the duo got to the par-3 16th, the lead was only one. DiMarco hit a smart shot and had a good look at birdie while Tiger pulled his tee shot left, leaving him with a difficult chip. And then it happened.

Not being able to directly at the hole, Woods walked around looking for a spot where he could land the ball and let it trickle down somewhere near the hole. It required a lot of touch and it had to be just right given the slope and the speed of a Sunday green at Augusta National, even with the moisture that the storms had put on the course. He decided on a spot that his caddie, Steve Williams, would later describe as the size of a dime and went for it. The ball landed exactly where he needed it to and began its journey toward the hole, stopping right in front with the Nike logo showing and then dropped in to one of the loudest roars in Masters history. Just unbelievable.

What most don’t remember is that Tiger actually bogeyed the next two holes and almost lost when DiMarco nearly chipped in on the 18th. Tiger would win with a birdie on the first playoff hole, which was a great putt in itself and would be on that other list I keep mentioning. But the shot on 16 is the draw here and will forever be remembered as one of the greatest of all time.

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