Posted on: 13 December, 2012
It was been quite a year in the golfing world. From nail-biting tension to agonising moments of defeat and the sheer ecstasy of victory, we’ve been rather spoilt in 2012. The Mole shares some of his 2012 best golf moments.
Ernie winning the Open Championship
This is a no-brainer. One of South Africa’s finest golfers took full advantage of Adam Scott’s final-round collapse and snatched the Claret jug right from underneath his nose. More importantly, the win gave Els fans renewed hope that there is still plenty of Major-winning talent left in that body.Branden Grace winning Volvo Golf Champions
There’s no denying that Branden Grace has had nothing short of a stellar year with victories across the globe. However, back in January 2012 Grace was just a relative unknown professional ranked 258th in the world. After beating his childhood heroes Ernie Els and Retief Goosen in a playoff in the Volvo Golf Champions at Fancourt, Grace set the tone for the year.Louis Oosthuizen’s Albatross at Augusta
Despite being edged out in the playoff against Bubba Watson, Oosthuizen walked off with a rather great consolation prize. Oosthuizen became the first person to have a double eagle/albatross on the par-five 2nd hole after a beautiful approach shot. It’s also the only televised albatross in Augusta’s history. Check out the incredible shot here.Justin Rose’s putt on the 17th during the Ryder Cup
Thanks to Ian Poulter’s sterling efforts at keeping the European team in with the smallest of chances, the comeback started thanks to South African-born Justin Rose sinking a beauty of a 35ft putt in his singles match against Phil Mickelson. Winning the hole took the wind out of Mickelson’s sails and set the ball rolling for one of the greatest comebacks in Ryder Cup history.Bubba’s bender at Augusta
Admittedly, I was rooting for South African Louis Oosthuizen to win the Masters, but there’s no denying that Bubba Watson’s jaw-dropping shot on the second playoff hole, the par-four 10th, was simply sensational. After his drive went way right and came to rest on some pine needles in the thick of the trees, Watson hit a perfect snap hook out and the ball finished close to the pin. He sunk the winning putt and grabbed the coveted green jacket.Gary Player’s 66 at the Gary Player Invitational
Despite being 77 years old, the South African golfing icon carded a fantastic 66 at Zimbali Country Club on the first day’s play of the Gary Player Invitational charity tournament. To break your age by 11 shots is quite an achievement and must be a record of some sorts.Charl Schwartzel’s demolition of Thailand
Admittedly Charl Schwartzel hasn’t had the best year. After winning the 2011 Masters, the 28-year-old hadn’t had a single victory in 20 months. That all changed when he headed east to play in the Thailand Golf Championship. After losing out to Lee Westwood in last year’s event, Schwartzel wanted revenge and did so in spectacular fashion. He had just a single bogey in the week and carded rounds of 65, 65, 68 and 65 to finish with an 11-shot margin of victory. Take that, Westwood.Jungle Bird
Before the US Open, very few had heard of the environmental activist known as Jungle Bird. A self-proclaimed sports fan, Jungle Bird became an overnight sensation after rudely interrupting winner Webb Simpson’s prizegiving ceremony. Since his debut at the Olympic Club, Jungle Bird has subsequently gate-crashed other sporting events.Rory McIlroy’s dominance
The 23-year-old youngster from Northern Ireland has cemented his position at the top of the world ranking after winning four US Tour events, including the US PGA Championship at Kiawah Island. He also added two European Tour wins to his tally and was the 2012 Order of Merit winner. He notched up the Vardon Trophy, the Byron Nelson Award and was the PGA Tour Player of the year. It wasn’t just about the titles either. He bagged the PGA Tour leading money winner and is currently dating tennis star Caroline Wozniacki. Well played Rory, well played.These are just some of my favourite moments from 2012. Have I missed anything out? What are you favourite moments from this year?
(Via Compleat Golfer)