A selection of the best golfing features of 2016
Friday 30 December 2016 07:04, UK
There were a number of memorable moments on and off the golf course throughout a hectic 2016, and we've picked out our top five features of the year.
Golfers making a splash
After Haydn Porteous caused a stir when he went "Topless at Tshwane" in February, we delved into the archives to find a collection of professionals who have endured water drama over the years.
Richard Finch and Woody Austin both took memorable unscheduled dips in big tournaments, while Ian Poulter wisely left the wading to one of his backroom team at Sawgrass.
And, just a couple of weeks after the Porteous incident, Sergio Garcia ventured into dangerous waters at the Honda Classic, while Sky Sports commentator John E Morgan decided to take an unusual short-cut in Sweden in June.
Tiger wowed by schoolboy ace
Tiger Woods was rarely upstaged when at the peak of his powers, but even he could not have predicted taking a back seat to 11-year-old Taylor Crozier at the grand opening of The Playgrounds course at Bluejack National.
Co-designed by the 14-time major champion, Woods was unable to perform in front of a selected crowd in March as he was still in the early stages of his recovery from back surgery, but Crozier stepped up in impressive style.
The young schoolboy hit the opening blow to the first hole, an 81-yard par three, and moments later he was celebrating with Woods when his ball found the bottom of the cup for one of the most remarkable holes-in-one of the year.
Fowler has fun at Sawgrass
The infamous 17th hole at TPC Sawgrass coughed up its first hole-in-one for 14 years when Will Wilcox found the target during the Players Championship, but Rickie Fowler found four different ways to play the iconic par three.
The defending champion, whose win at the "fifth major" in 2015 was one of the best performances in the history of the tournament, particularly as he managed to birdie 17 three times on the final day.
But could he hit the island green while blindfolded? Could he make the carry playing left handed? And what happened when he teed off from the 18th tee and a hospitality tent?
Record-breaking Stenson
The first Open to be screened live on Sky Sports provided one of the most thrilling finishes in the illustrious history of golf's oldest major, with Henrik Stenson edging a memorable duel with Phil Mickelson at Royal Troon.
Mickelson started the final round one behind the Swede, shot 65, and finished three behind! That gives you some indication of the quality of golf from Stenson, whose final-day 63 will live long in the memory.
Relive the famous battle for the 145th Open title as Stenson claimed his maiden major title and broke a number of records in the process.
Mr 58!
Jim Furyk was one of only six players to fire a magical 59 on the PGA Tour, but the American veteran created history in August with his astonishing 58 on the final day of the Travelers Championship.
Furyk, who broke 60 at the BMW Championship in 2013, went one better with a "pretty much flawless" round at TPC River Highlands, making 10 birdies and one eagle.
He actually had a putt on the last for a 57, but he settled for the first 58 in Tour history just a few days after Stephan Jaeger had achieved the same feat on the Web.com Tour.
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