Top 10 tournaments of 2013
Somehow, some way, the Masters always delivers the drama. Adam Scott, trying to win the first green jacket for Australia, drained a 20-foot birdie on 18 for what he thought was the winning putt. But just behind him, Angel Cabrera, the 2009 champion, made a birdie on 18 to force a playoff. On the second playoff hole, Scott got a good read from caddie Steve Williams and lifted his arms in triumph as the ball rolled into the hole for victory. (Getty Images)
A month after another heartbreaking loss at the U.S. Open, Phil Mickelson won the tournament he thought he’d never win. Calling it the greatest achievement of his career, Mickelson birdied four of the last six holes at Muirfield to win his first claret jug and fifth major of his career. Now all Mickelson needs to complete the career grand slam is that elusive U.S. Open title. (Getty Images)
Merion is home to Ben Hogan’s famous 1-iron shot, and Lee Trevino’s epic playoff win over Jack Nicklaus. This time it was Justin Rose who displayed brilliant ball-striking that would’ve made the Hawk proud. Standing on the 18th tee with a one-shot lead, Rose smashed a drive down the middle, then watched his second shot from 229 yards roll just past the hole. After tapping in for par, Rose looked up to the heavens to his late father. “Father’s Day was not lost on me today,” he said. (Getty Images)
Needing just two putts from 20 feet to win the Scottish Open, Phil Mickelson had one of those “Oh, Phil ...” moments when he three-putted to fall into a playoff with Branden Grace. On the first playoff hole, the par-5 18th, Mickelson drilled a low pitch shot to set up a tap-in birdie. “You always want to have a little bit of suspense,” Mickelson joked afterward. Hey, that’s why we call him “Phil the Thrill.” (Getty Images)
Just two years after a playoff loss to Keegan Bradley at the PGA Championship, Jason Dufner was unstoppable in the final round as he took apart Oak Hill on his way to his first major title. In the second round, Dufner nearly shot the lowest round in major championship history, but settled for a 63. After three birdies on the front nine Sunday, Dufner cruised to a two-shot win. Walking off the 18th green Bradley was there to congratulate his friend. (Getty Images)
There are rookie seasons, and then there is Jordan Spieth’s rookie season. Starting the year with no status, Spieth played his way into the John Deere Classic, and then holed a bunker shot on 18 to force a playoff with Zach Johnson and David Hearn. Spieth only needed a par on the first extra hole to become the youngest winner in 82 years. Just two weeks shy of his 20th birthday, Spieth earned full membership status and a spot in the Open Championship. (Getty Images)
Patrick Reed had already missed two putts to win his first PGA Tour event, and on the second playoff hole with Jordan Spieth, Reed was facing a nearly impossible second shot after almost hitting his tee shot O.B. From underneath a tree with the ball above his feet, Reed smoked a 7-iron under a branch to 7 feet to set up his winning birdie putt. “It was the best shot of my life, that’s for sure,” Reed said. (Getty Images)
In his 187th start, journeyman Ken Duke, 44, didn’t let another opportunity slip away to nab his first PGA Tour win. After Chris Stroud chipped in on 18 to force a playoff, Duke stuffed his approach shot to 2 1/2 feet on the second extra hole to secure a trip to the Masters. “Yeah, it’s been a long time,” Duke said. (Getty Images)
Masters champion Adam Scott shot a bogey-free 66 in the final round to set himself up for a nice finish in the PGA Tour’s first playoff event. With players such as Justin Rose, Tiger Woods and Gary Woodland still on the course, Scott assumed he’d come up short. But one by one, the players behind him made mistakes, and Woods was brought to his knees with a back injury. When Rose three-putted the 18th for bogey, Scott had his second win of the season. (Getty Images)
The Old Course at St. Andrews has certainly seen its share of memorable moments, and Stacy Lewis added to the home of golf’s rich history by birdieing the last two holes to win her second major championship. The week started with Inbee Park gunning for a fourth consecutive major, but it ended with the 28-year-old Lewis standing victorious on the Swilcan Bridge. “To finish the way I did was just awesome,” she said. (Getty Images)
