Golf has seen hundreds of spectacular shots over the course of its history. However, while the drivers set the rhythm of the game, it is the putts that write the defining moments. From clutch victories to near misses, these moments turn the trajectory of the game and, well, turn the heads, too. Let’s take a look at the top 5 iconic putts of all time.
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#1: Tiger Woods – 2008 US Open
As much as Woods dominated the greens, even the golfing phenom had his own spine-chilling clutch moments. One such moment was the 2008 US Open at Torrey Pines, where he had to birdie the 18th hole to force the playoffs against Rocco Mediate.
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Battling two stress fractures in his left leg and a torn ACL, Woods’ injuries made every step and swing even more painful, adding to the difficulty of the moment. If he failed to drain the birdie, Woods lost all chances of winning the tournament. Meanwhile, securing it would have resulted in a playoff, giving him a winning chance.
While most others would have given up hope, Tiger Woods remained focused on his swing. Navigating the challenging greens at the 18th hole, with a bumpy, uneven surface, the golfing legend proved exactly what made him count among the greatest. The 15-time major champion holed in the birdie putt, sealing the victory on the 19th hole. Looking back at the moment, Woods remembered committing to the strike, regardless of how the tricky greens might affect the outcome.
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“I just kept telling myself two and a half balls outside the right, but make sure you stay committed to it, make a pure stroke, and if it plinkos in, or plinkos out, it doesn’t matter, as long as I make a pure stroke. And I did. I hit it good. It took forever to break, but it finally snuck in there at the end,” Woods shared.
Marking one of golf’s most heroic victories, there’s a plaque commemorating the putt at the 18th hole in Torrey Pines now.
#2: Phil Mickelson – 2004 Masters
There’s a first time for everything, and needless to say, it’s probably the sweetest feeling one could experience. Phil Mickelson immortalized such a moment with a celebratory jump that went down in history along with his first major victory.
At the 2004 Masters, Mickelson entered the major with the reputation of being the best player without a major. And although this would not have been his final opportunity to break the curse, the loss would have added to the wound.
As he entered the final round, determined to flip the script, Mickelson was tied for the lead with Ernie Els. Despite a challenging front nine, Mickelson rebounded with commendable shots and birdies on the back nine, including birdies on holes 12, 13, 14, 16, and the iconic 18th. The shot was an 18-foot downhill putt, securing his win over Els by one stroke.
As he reflected on his win, Mickelson shared the subtle presence of his late grandfather in spirit, making the winning putt. “The thought was, ‘My grandfather just nudged that ball in the hole.’” This victory not only marked his first major but also claimed his spot among the elites.
#3: Costantino Rocca – 1995 Open Championship
Winners create history. But what if this time, the runner-up created more buzz? Well, that’s exactly what happened at the 1995 Open Championship at St. Andrews. With its famously challenging 18th hole, it created one of the most dramatic, tension-spilling moments in golf’s history.
Costantino Rocca found himself looking for a birdie at the 18th hole to force the playoffs against John Daly. But his approach shot didn’t carry that sentiment, falling into the infamous Valley of Sin, leading to a massive 65-foot putt for the win.
Despite the incredible difficulty and pressure, Rocca lined up the putt with calm focus. Draining one of his longest and most pressure-packed putts of his career, Rocca succeeded in getting the hole. The climax of the game was probably that event, as Rocca fell to his knees in sheer shock and elation. The crowds buzzed, and although Daly beat him in the playoffs, Rocca became the most famous runner-up in putting history.
#4: Jack Nicklaus – 1986 Masters
Jack Nicklaus‘ most iconic putt didn’t come at the clutch 18th. Close enough, the 17th hole in the 1986 Masters saw the most dramatic tension. Being a 46-year-old veteran in the game, needless to say, not many were rooting for his win. Despite the odds stacked against him, Jack Nicklaus delivered a masterclass in putting in the back nine, surging to the top with birdies on 9, 10, 11, and 13, and an eagle at the 15th.
Back in the heat of the competition, the 18-time major champion cemented his lead with a birdie on the 17th hole. That was the moment he had clinched the trophy. The 18th hole just confirmed that. This victory wasn’t any title. It marked the resilience and competitive spirit of Nicklaus, who defeated top golfers like Seve Ballesteros to grab the major. This also marked the golfing legend’s 18th and final major victory.
#5: Seve Ballesteros – The Open, 1984
Long before Seve Ballesteros headed the European Ryder Cup team in 1997, the Spaniard cemented his name in the hall of fame with his iconic winning putt at the Open, 1984. His opponent, Tom Watson, stood a good chance of grabbing the title. However, missing his second shot, the slip-up provided Ballesteros an opportunity to secure the major. Seve’s approach left him with a 12-foot birdie putt on the 18th green. Having a right-to-left break, the shot was tricky, to say the least. Everyone speculated that the ball would hover on the edge of the cup.
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Turning heads around with his incredible putt, Ballesteros drained the birdie, leading to a triumphant celebration on the greens. That victory marked his second Claret Jug, standing as a testament to his technical exuberance. The win led to one of golf’s most iconic celebrations.
These putts weren’t just strokes on the green. They were turning points that defined careers and etched legends in history. With the marquee players on the circuit continuing to drain clutch birdies, it seems that golf’s putting odyssey has just begun, with more history-worthy moments being written.
