Great question, and I do believe your 'devine intervention status' fits this putt. I think this was one of the great putts of all time! Tiger's birdie putt on 17, the famous 3-par Island Hole at the most recent Players Championship, Sawgrass' Stadium Course. It was during Saturday's third round, I believe. His drive landed on the backside of the green, almost going in the drink, but ended up on the fringe about 30 feet away. The putt had a double break, from right to left to right, although the TV camera angle really didn't show the second break. When I saw Tiger's putt break from right to left, it looked as if his putt was going to miss the hole to the left by some 6-7 feet. At that instant I was thinking, "Gee, he doesn't misread his putts that poorly." Then his putt caught the second break and started back right to the hole and he sunk the putt...just an incredible putt!
Another great putt was Vijay Singh's eagle putt using the toe of his putter because his ball was up against the fringe...hole 16 I think, same tournament and same day, I believe.
Some comments about the 17th island hole from the PGA Tour website--"It's a menace or a masterpiece, depending on if you watch The Player's Championship's famous island hole from the teebox or the gallery"..."Nobody's heart stops beating fast," says defending champion Hal Sutton. "You get to 17, you don't know where you're going to finish until you get through 17."..."We've seen guys make aces there and we've seen guys lose tournaments there."
Larry


Larry Stanley
Elk Grove, CA USA
OnePuttLarry@aol.com
http://www.ThePuttingEdge.com

That was one of the best putts I have ever seen. Nothing like a double breaker across a tier to get you going. I also liked the putts to end the Masters in 2001 and 1998. O'Meara's putt was something special since hed did not have the lead until that shot dropped, and only Arnie and Sandy Lyle had won with a birdie on 18 prior to Mark. Tiger's putt was across Mark's same line and the fact that he is a tremendous student of the game, Tiger remembered the putt broke away from where everyone else thought.

What about Tiger's putt in the 2000 PGA on the first Playoff hole? Drama? He didn't save it for his mama - he drained a putt that Bob May missed three holes earlier.

Jeff

Jeff
Your remarks are very insightful. It's fun to relive some of the great putts. Nicklaus sank some great one's in former British Open's and Tiger just continues to amaze me with his putting. His double-breaker on 17 in The Players Championship at Sawgrass just blew me away. And the beat goes on.
Regards,
Larry

Larry Stanley
Elk Grove, CA USA
OnePuttLarry@aol.com
http://www.ThePuttingEdge.com

Here's a neat web source for great putts. It details the one Payne Stewart made for the win at Pinehurst No. 2 in the 1999 US Open and then lists some other great putts, including O'Meara's at the Masters 72nd hole to win.

If anyone can add to the list, I'm planning a webpage devoted to just this and I could use some help.

Cheers!

Geoff Mangum
The PuttingZone
http://hometown.aol.com/puttmagic>
The Future of Putting Now - elite instruction, comprehensive resources.

Geoff
You never cease to amaze me with your links. I love that pic of Payne Stewart celebrating his 20 footer for his second U. S. Open championship...which makes me think of another category...Best Celebration...Victory Trot...after a putt, after any shot...call it what you will. Paynes celebration after his winning putt there at Pinehurst has to be one of the most memorable ever...and unforgetable. Another unforgetable celebration, and you'll have to help me with the tournament, was when Jack Nicklaus sank the putt at 18 and threw his putter about 30 feet into the air and almost hit his opponent...think it may have been a British Open with Palmer, but not absolutely sure...that was a scary moment. Someone had mentioned earlier about the great 50 foot putt by Justin Leonard for the Ryder Cup win in 1999...what a putt and celebration that was. We'll certainly try to help you with your new page of great putts.

Regards.

Larry Stanley
The Putting Edge
http://www.ThePuttingEdge.com

Larry Stanley
Elk Grove, CA USA
OnePuttLarry@aol.com
http://www.ThePuttingEdge.com

What about Hale Irwin after his birdie to get into a Playoff with Mike Donald at the U.S. Open (1990?)? He running high-fived everyone in the greater Chicago area. I laugh at how happy he was when I think about it.

Another good one was Jack's snake at the 16th in the '75 Masters. With Weiskopf and Miller looking on he drains a 40' to take the wind out of their sails.

Jeff

And also Costantino Rocco's putt at the British Open to force a playoff with John Daly, where he collapsed onto the front of the green.

The toss by Nicklaus almost hit Doug Sanders, I think. I have a photo of that. I'll tack it down. Definitely not Palmer.

Cheers!

Geoff Mangum

Geoff
That long putt of Rocco's at the British Open was a very terrific, dramatic, putt! I really believe that it drained everything out of him including any chance he had of bettering Daly in the playoff. I think that someone else here put it in the top 10 best putts. And, yes, you're correct, it was Doug Sanders that almost got 'bonked' by Nicklaus' putter.

Thanks!

Larry Stanley
Larry Stanley
The Putting Edge
Elk Grove, CA USA
OnePuttLarry@aol.com
http://www.ThePuttingEdge.com