GOLFTV Awards 2021 - Best Shot of the Year

‘Unbelievable!’ ‘What a shot!’ ‘Holy smokes!’ ‘Are you kidding me?!’ ‘Can you believe that?'

The reaction of the commentators to Jordan Spieth’s stunning recovery shot at this year’s Ryder Cup at Whistling Straits hints at something special but it really must be seen to be believed.

Spieth and his partner Justin Thomas arrived on the 17th tee needing to win the final two holes of their foursomes clash with Europe’s Jon Rahm and Sergio Garcia just to halve the match. Unfortunately their chances took a dive when Thomas’ tee shot failed to find the putting surface.

With the ball seemingly lost in a sea of long grass on a near vertical bank adjacent to the 17th green, Spieth’s chances of extending his side’s match appeared to have been dashed.

But history tells us that he loves a challenge and often rises to it.

With his feet at a ridiculous angle and the world watching on, somehow Spieth conjured a clean contact and sent the ball soaring high into the air. ‘Look at the shot tracer, it’s like a rocket taking off for space!’ exclaimed analyst Justin Leonard on seeing the replay.

Incredibly, the ball would drop just a few feet from the pin but Spieth did not witness the results of his wizardry - he was too busy stumbling backwards down the slope and towards Lake Michigan desperately trying to regain his balance and avoid a dunking.

It was left to the rest of us to marvel at not only one of the greatest shots ever seen at a Ryder Cup - but arguably one of the best full stop. Europe’s Sergio Garcia could only stand, shake his head in disbelief and ultimately applaud his rival. 

Thomas’ woes continued as he failed to complete the recovery and Rahm and Garcia wrapped up the match - but Spieth claimed all the headlines.

"It's kind of one of those shots that you practice as a kid for fun, and you don't ultimately want to have it,” commented Spieth following the match.

"I hit like a 52-degree because a 60 might have gone over the back of my head. I just tried to flick it right underneath and hit it as hard as I could and as high as I could."

Take a bow Jordan Spieth.

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Notable mentions:

Bryson DeChambeau sends Ryder Cup fans into a frenzy - The big-hitting American wasted no time in giving the fans what they wanted on the final day of the Ryder Cup by driving the opening hole with a trademark monster. His outrageous 340+ yard drive found the putting surface where he would then sink a 41ft putt for eagle.

Phil Mickelson rides a wave of support at the U.S. PGA Championship - With title rival and Brooks Koepka and history breathing down his neck, Phil Mickelson produced a brilliant 9-iron into the heart of the 18th green to set up victory at the U.S. PGA and in doing so become the oldest winner in 161 years of major championship golf.