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Reader's Forum Question: Golf analysts and writers dubbed Shaun Micheel's approach shot to the 18th hole Sunday that landed two inches from the cup and guaranteed him the Wanamaker Trophy as one of the best clutch shots in major tournament history. Do you agree? What other clutch shots stand out in your memory? Your Responses: I concur with those who say that Shaun Micheel's approach shot to 18 should go down as one of the best 'clutch' shots in the history of the game. Leading by only one... having never won a tourney, let alone a major.... One can't help but conjure all kinds of possibilities that could have happened with that approach shot. I dare say that many assumed that the pressure was so tremendous that the expected thing to do was either to shank the shot or, at the very best, wind up in a spot that could easily require 3 putts and end up in a tie. What an ending. Perfect! P. Swanson Every era has its own view of "clutch shots," and it is impossible to say which was best or more important. There was Bobby Jones's putt at the 72nd hole at Winged Foot to force a playoff with Al Espinosa in 1929 (which Jones won handily), Ben Hogan's 1-iron shot to the 72nd green to set up an Open playoff at Merion in 1950 and immortalized by Hy Peskin's iconic photograph in Life magazine, Jerry Pate's 5-iron to the 72nd hole at the Atlantic Athletic Club in 1976 to set up his Open victory, Tom Watson's chip in at the 71st hole of the 1982 Open at Pebble Beach, and so on. These events, along with Micheel's shot to the 72nd in this year's PGA, are incapable of being ranked, but they are worthy of calm discussion over a wee dram or two at the 19th hole at any course in the golfing world. That's what makes them so interesting, and all the more so if you actually saw the shot. J. Fischer III I think that the 7-iron shot by Shawn Micheel on 18 at the PGA was extremely exciting. It would have qualified much higher on the list of historical shots made in major tournament history had it actually won the tournament. After all, he had a one-shot lead and, admittingly, was just trying to hit the green. Great as it was, it would have been more impressive had he and Campbell been tied going into the hole. Two clutch shots that stand out to me were both at U.S. Opens - the Nicklaus 1-iron to inches on 17 at Pebble Beach in '72 and Watson's chip-in on 17 in '82. G. Pryor When Shaun Micheel hit that magnificent 7 iron on Sunday, I immediately recalled Sandy Lyle's 6 iron (I think) from the fairway bunker on 18 at August during the final round to win The Masters. Both shots were about the same distance, both uphill to a pin which could not be seen, under tremendous pressure and on the last hole of a major tournament! I believe Lyle's was a tougher shot because it was in the sand; hence my vote as The Clutch Shot. S. Thomson I believe the greatest clutch shot in championship history was struck by Mr. Nicklaus in the 1986 Masters on No. 16. He hits the ball within 3 feet (makes birdie) to finish off the greatest back nine comeback of all time. S. Belmore The most clutch shot that comes to mind is the tee shot Jean Van De Velde took in his return to championship play after the catastrophe at the British Open. I am surprised it left the box. D. Schulte Under the circumstances and the extreme pressure that Shaun was under, this shot had to be one of the best clutch, if not THE best clutch shot I have ever seen! L. Silver
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