From Rory McIlroy’s Career Grand Slam-clinching playoff birdie over Justin Rose to Shane Lowry’s pressure-packed putt against Russell Henley in Sunday Singles at Bethpage, and from JJ Spaun’s 60-foot monster at Oakmont to Grace Kim’s holed chip at the Evian Championship, 2025 was a year for grandstand final moments.
Those shots will be replayed for decades to come, such was the magnitude of the moments in which they were delivered – and rightly so – but not all incredible shots are rewarded with trophies.
Here is a selection of 10 of the best shots hit by professional golfers who would finish in the also-ran positions in their respective tournaments, but nevertheless delivered moments worthy of repeat viewing.
10. Patrick Reed – U.S. Open at Oakmont – Fourth hole, round one
In its 125-year history, only three players had made an albatross in the USGA’s showpiece event. Patrick Reed became the fourth when he holed out from 286 yards on the par-5 fourth hole in the opening round of this year’s edition at Oakmont.
Gaining 2.6 strokes on the field with one swing, it was statistically the best shot hit all season, even if the reaction to it was rather muted and Reed himself had no idea it went in.
🚨 ALBATROSS ALERT 🚨@PReedGolf with a 2 on a par 5, just the 4th in U.S. Open history! pic.twitter.com/FNDFzWwlzT
— U.S. Open (@usopengolf) June 12, 2025
9. Fred Couples – The Masters at Augusta National – 14th hole, round one
There’s something about Augusta National and Fred ‘Boom Boom’ Couples that just go hand-in-hand. The 65-year-old, 1992 winner, became the second oldest player in Masters history to break par when he shot a 71 in the opening round this year.
The highlight was undoubtedly his 7-wood from 191 yards into the 14th, sending the patrons delirious with delight and Couples’ celebrations showed exactly why he’ll forever be a fan-favourite in Augusta, Georgia.
Into the hole from 191 yards. Fred Couples eagles No. 14! #themasters pic.twitter.com/5KD2bMUKv6
— The Masters (@TheMasters) April 10, 2025
8. Mi-Hyang Lee – Black Desert Ladies Championship – 14th hole, round three
Fortunate to have a stance, fortunate to have a lie, fortunate to even find the ball in the first place, Korean Mi-Hyang Lee pulled off one of the recovery shots of the season from the waste area left of the 14th green at Black Desert Resort in Utah.
The quality of the strike, the landing, the spin control, it was all perfect. And if there was any justice in the world, it would’ve gone in.
This is just ridiculously good. It’s almost unfair at this point 😭 pic.twitter.com/llEQEk7bUf
— LPGA (@LPGA) May 3, 2025
7. Phil Mickelson – LIV Golf Virginia – 17th hole, final round
It wasn’t an easy shot for a right-hander, but it was a nightmare scenario for a left-hander. But this was the sort of challenge that Phil Mickelson lives for. Standing in the bunker, ball about two feet above his stance, back to the hole, there was no way he could get it up and down, surely.
He had other ideas. Taking a near full swing, he flips his wrists at impact and the result is sheer poetry.
Phil Mickelson. Unbelievable. pic.twitter.com/RRIlhxMP27
— FOX Sports: Golf (@GolfonFOX) June 8, 2025
6. Shane Lowry – AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am – Seventh hole, round one
When you’ve got holes-in-one at Augusta National’s 16th, and TPC Sawgrass’ 17th on your résumé, teeing it up on an iconic par-3 has to have Shane Lowry licking his lips. How about adding a hole-in-one at Pebble Beach’s seventh hole to that list?
Yeah, why not? The perfect wedge, the perfect result.
HOLE IN ONE FROM SHANE LOWRY! 💥 pic.twitter.com/U9Q3qCl4U9
— Sky Sports Golf (@SkySportsGolf) January 30, 2025
5. Matt Fitzpatrick – Omega European Masters at Crans-sur-Sierre – Ninth hole, final round
You regularly hear that a 40-yard bunker shot is the toughest shot in golf, but I’ll take it over a 286-yard bunker shot with a fairway wood any day. Matt Fitzpatrick made it look easy in the final round in Switzerland.
On commentary, Ken Brown said it might be the best shot he’s ever seen. That’s high praise indeed.
8. Matt Fitzpatrick in Switzerland
Also 286 yards out. But from the bunker?!
Ken Brown on comms “I don’t think I’ve ever seen a better shot”pic.twitter.com/coYyC4MaBv
— Jamie Kennedy (@jamierkennedy) December 1, 2025
4. Cameron Davis – AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am – 18th hole, final round
It’s not often that careers are on the line with a 30-yard pitch early in the season, but since wrist injuries have destroyed many golfers’ livelihoods, that was the dilemma facing Cameron Davis at the PGA Tour Signature Event this year.
Nestled between the roots of a cypress tree, he took the risk and pulled off one of the up-and-downs of the year. The birdie earned him $100,000 and change, so it paid off handsomely.
This shot by Cam Davis on 18 at Pebble Beach is insane.
Anything could have happened, broken wrist certainly possible.
Instead…absolutely crazy result. Just wow. pic.twitter.com/1J1UHwYt2m
— Rick Golfs (@Top100Rick) February 2, 2025
3. Scottie Scheffler – WM Phoenix Open at TPC Scottsdale – Fifth hole, round one
When you’ve had a year like Scottie Scheffler’s had, it’s hard to pick out a single standout shot, but this one gained him 2.2 strokes on the field, so it was statistically the best shot of the thousands he hit.
What makes it all the more impressive is that his previous visit to the sand – on the fourth hole – saw him shank the ball out. From the human to the superhuman in the space of 10 minutes.
11. Scottie Scheffler in Phoenix
A perfect shot.
And statistically the best shot of Scheffler’s year (+2.2 SG). pic.twitter.com/yKovbXmCMy
— Jamie Kennedy (@jamierkennedy) December 1, 2025
2. Si Woo Kim – PGA Championship at Quail Hollow – Sixth hole, round two
In 2024, Si Woo Kim set a new record for the longest hole-in-one in major championship history when he aced the 238-yard par-3 17th at Royal Troon. This year, he went one better – or 14 better, to be exact – when he beat his own record by holing from 252 yards on the sixth hole at Quail Hollow.
No par-3 at Augusta National, Shinnecock Hills, Aronimink or Royal Birkdale measure longer than 252 yards, so if he’s to make it a hat-trick in 2026, he’ll have to do it on a par-4.
10. Si Woo Kim at the PGA
A butter-cut, hole-in-one from 252 yards 🧈 pic.twitter.com/o1srOMGdaa
— Jamie Kennedy (@jamierkennedy) December 1, 2025
1.Billy Horschel – Valspar Championship at Innisbrook – Fifth hole, final round
If you needed further reminding that the pros are playing a game that amateurs can only dream of, then look no further than Billy Horschel’s incredible shot into the fifth hole during the final round of the Valspar Championship.
Up against a tree, pitching out sideways (or even backwards) was the only option hitting right-handed, so Horschel pulled a 9-iron, flipped it over and swung left-handed – a swing that most amateurs would give their right arm for. And for good measure, he made the birdie putt.
There was a miraculous up and down from Billy Horschel which included a left-handed approach shot due to being obstructed by a tree and a MONSTER putt 😱 pic.twitter.com/87Z1SI30Cf
— Sky Sports Golf (@SkySportsGolf) March 23, 2025
