One of the greatest shots hit in the US Open...

[IrishGolfer]

Just been onto US Open web-site, some great video clips here.

Official Website of the 2007 U.S. Open Championship

Check out the one of Nicklaus playing a 1 iron into the teeth of the wind. 71st hole of US Open and all that...

1972 – Jack Nicklaus' love affair with Pebble Beach began with his U.S. Amateur victory in 1961. Nicklaus came into the 1972 Open at Pebble fresh off a victory at the Masters in April. Even with the weather turning downright miserable on the final Sunday, Nicklaus still managed to hold a three-stroke lead over Bruce Crampton through 70 holes. Playing into the teeth of the wind at the difficult par-3 17th, Nicklaus fired a 1-iron tee shot that hit the flagstick and stopped inches from the hole for a tap-in birdie. Nicklaus won his third Open with a 290 total, the second-highest by a champion since World War II.

[Bravo]

IG - go back to the site and look at the 76 tourney. Jerry Pate stuffs a five iron to three feet from the rough 195 yards away over water to win it.

Awesome. 22 years old and was US Amateur Champ at the time and a rookie.

[Eracer]

Good stuff.

[IrishGolfer]

Originally Posted by Bravo

IG - go back to the site and look at the 76 tourney. Jerry Pate stuffs a five iron to three feet from the rough 195 yards away over water to win it.

Awesome. 22 years old and was US Amateur Champ at the time and a rookie.

Bravo

I saw that one and in fact remember it, (I had never seen JN's shot before). IMO The Bear's shot was better. OK, in the context of it being a final hole with a one shot lead, Pate's gets the awesome factor. But given that he was in the rough, hitting to a tiny part of the green (that no-one else had been near all day) over water protectiong a one shot lead, I would say Lady Luck played a part. I'll bet he was going for the middle of the green and pulled it a bit. It just seems like madness to hit that shot in that situation from the rough. I always liked Pate (Wilson staffer and played an orange Prostaff etc.) and at one time he was the best player on the planet. If he had been one shot behind and had to go for it, now that would be a different situation, and I would agree.

Nicklaus, on the other hand had total control of the situation. He had a 3 shot lead and played what can only be described as an awesome shot from probably 230-240 into the teeth of the wind with a one iron and it hit the pin. All within his control and no rough to hinder him. If Woods played that sort of shot next week, I'll bet it would be talked about for decades.

Anyway, like I said this is all subjective.

[ualtim]

I am still kind of partial to Tom Watson's chip in on #17 at Pebble Beach in 1982. The best part being he told his caddy, Bruce Edwards, that he was going to hole it before he hit it.

[VtDivot]

Originally Posted by ualtim

I am still kind of partial to Tom Watson's chip in on #17 at Pebble Beach in 1982. The best part being he told his caddy, Bruce Edwards, that he was going to hole it before he hit it.

yup...

and if he doesn't make it he either has to play Jack on Monday or he finishes 2nd.

Stewarts birdie on 18 in 1999 was pretty special also. While not a spectacular chip in, it was still something like a 490 yard par 4 that was playing well over par

[Bravo]

Yes I think Stewart's putt was the longest putt on the last to win the USOpen.

I won't agrue that Nicklaus' shot was better but I do think that it should be taken into consideration that Pate is a freakin 22 yo rookie right out of college...and in his first appearance on the World Stage, he comes through in spectacular fashion.

Sadly, he battled shoulder injuries much of his career afterward and never met his full potential...

[cabinessence]

I was shocked to see how small the green is at #17. I can't imagine playing that from the back and into the wind.

[dave.]

Hogan's 1 iron at Merrion.The guy was in so much pain he could barely walk.

[mont86]

IG thanks for the link..Great shot!