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SPORTSWednesday 23 December
On the Green:
Major moments and major shots in Golf for 2015
DOUG FERGUSON In this April 11, 2015, file photo, Jordan Spieth chips from the gal- down.” Not so obvious was option was this 3-iron I was
AP Golf Writer lery on the 18th hole during the third round of the Masters golf the 5-iron on the par-5 13th. carrying, but it was off an
Jason Day’s drive. Jordan tournament in Augusta, Ga. In a wire-to-wire win, the biggest He had about 190 yards to up slope. I hit 3-wood and
Spieth’s flop shot. Zach moment for Spieth was on the 18th hole in the third round. In a the front from the left side cut it. As long as I hit a fade,
Johnson’s putt. risky move, he hit a flop shot that helped him save par and set of the fairway, but the ball nothing could go wrong, so
Major championships pro- the tone for the final round. was nearly knee-high be- ultimately I ended up in a
duce shots that can be cause of the slope. He was perfect yardage. I could
more memorable than the (AP Photo/Chris Carlson) coming off a three-putt bo- miss it really bad and carry
winner holding the trophy. gey on No. 12. The danger the front.”
Zach Johnson with a claret lead only 20 minutes ear- said. “You could pitch it 15 comes from ball above his It bounded to the back of
jug? The more lasting im- lier was down to four shots, feet in front and hit it hard feet because the swing is the green and rolled back
age from the British Open and it looked certain to enough to at least be on flatter with less speed, and to about 10 feet for a two-
was Johnson holding his shrink even more when he the green. But given the se- the ball won’t go as far. putt birdie.
crouch and slowly clench- missed the 18th green well verity of that slope, it’s go- Spieth provided his own Lost in a wild final hour was
ing his fist on the 18th green to the right behind the bun- ing to roll out. A good shot commentary: “Go hard! a simple par that really
at St. Andrews. ker. In a risky move, Spieth would be 15 feet. I decided GO HARD! GO HARD! wasn’t that simple. Spieth’s
And then there are shots hit a flop shot that helped to hit a higher one and spin GO!” It narrowly cleared tee shot on the par-3 15th
that stand out only to the him save par and set the it. That shot is certainly one the creek and set up a rolled back off the front,
player. tone for the final round. I don’t want over again. It two-putt birdie. Asked how and the slope was much
The three major champi- “That was the key shot,” he was 1 in 5 getting it up and many times he barked in- like the elevation at Augus-
ons were asked what they structions to his golf ball, ta National — you have to
thought was the signa- Spieth said, “Less out loud see it to believe it.
ture shot from their victory, than what was in my head. “That slope was taller than
along with a shot that was But still enough.” me,” he said. “You had to
particularly pleasing to judge the speed the right
them because of the cir- U.S. OPEN way. I had to cast it out to
cumstances or the quality The winning shot for Spieth the right, but if I hit it too
of the shot. turned out to be a 3-wood hard it goes 12 feet by. I
on the par-5 18th at Cham- can’t be short or I’m re-hit-
MASTERS bers Bay, and he felt he ting. It was perfect speed
In a wire-to-wire win, the couldn’t miss. and went to 4 or 5 feet for
biggest moment for Spieth “I had 281 (yards), but I only a manageable second
was on the 18th hole in the had 238 to cover the front,” putt.”q
third round. A seven-shot he said. “The only other
