Countdown to the Masters 2011 – Day Eight: Faldo holes longest putt in Masters history

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Welcome to Day Eight of the Today’s Golfer Countdown to The Masters 2011. Every day from February 17th until the big day when the season’s first Major tees off, April 7th, we will be bringing you some of our favourite memorable moments from The Masters since the tournament started in 1934.

Masters history is littered with stunning and career-defining shots, but one that doesn’t get the credit it deserves is the longest putt in the tournament’s illustrious history.

The man who stroked the putt in question is Sir Nick Faldo, who holed-out from 100 feet for birdie on the 2nd hole in his third round in 1989.

The putt was made with a Bull’s Eye putter (which the Englishman used for the first three rounds) rather than his customary Ping (which he resorted to in the final round).

This miraculous putt deserves greater acknowledgement than it receives for two reasons; firstly, Augusta National’s slick and undulating greens are arguably the toughest in golf and, secondly, the shot itself was crucial as Faldo went on to win his first Green Jacket by beating Scott Hoch in a play-off.

Golf World’s Jock Howard remembers the tournament vividly: “It is unofficial (because no one bothered to measure it) but those who saw it said it was over one hundred feet; and the Green Jackets still refer to it as the longest ever putt made in the tournament.

“What is certainly a fact is that it was the turning point of the tournament for Faldo, who was beginning to lose touch with the leaders after bogeying the 1st hole of his third round on Saturday.

“He then left himself a monster birdie putt at the par-5 2nd, right across arguably the course’s toughest green. On and on it went, with a huge swing on it, before finally dropping in the middle of the hole. Faldo put his arms in the air. The crowd went wild.

“He admitted afterwards that this moment was just as important psychologically to him, as it was physically; perhaps the crucial point in the whole week.”

“I looked like starting 6-6,” Faldo said. “That putt saved me two shots. Those sort of breaks keep you going.”

 

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