Donaldson wins European Tour Shot of the Year
Welshman's Ryder Cup-winning wedge voted best shot of 2014
Jamie Donaldson's Ryder Cup-winning wedge to the 15th hole at Gleneagles has been voted European Tour Shot of the Year for 2014
Jamie Donaldson's Ryder Cup-winning wedge to the 15th hole at Gleneagles has been voted European Tour Shot of the Year for 2014.
The Welshman stiffed his 146-yard approach during his singles match with Keegan Bradley to complete a 5&3 victory and ensure Europe retained the trophy in emphatic style.
It sparked scenes of jubilation as many of Donaldson's team-mates, plus captain Paul McGinely, caddies and hoards of spectators, had gathered by the 15th green.
"It was the perfect distance so I knew I could put a full swing on it and be aggressive," said Donaldson, who made his Ryder Cup debut last year.
"As soon as I hit it, I thought it was going to be good - but I hadn't realised just how good.
"I said at the time I've just hit the shot of my life, given the circumstances.
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"To hit the shot which won us the Ryder Cup was just incredible and I'm honored to win the European Tour Shot of the Year award.
"I couldn't have dreamed of a better finale to the best week of my career so far."
Donaldson's wedge attracted 32% of the votes in a My European Tour poll, beating off 10 other shots.
Charl Schwartzel's blind shot off a cart path at the Volvo Golf Champions in January received 23% of the votes. Unfortunately, he wasn't able to knock in the subsequent birdie putt.
In third place was Victor Dubuisson's miraculous cactus chip during the final of the WGC-Accenture matchplay, a tournament he was making his debut in.
Henrik Stenson, Rory McIlroy and Miguel Angel Jimenez all had shots on the shortlist - comprised of all the European Tour Shot of the Month winners throughout 2014.
What were your favourite shots of 2014? Leave a comment below and let us know...
Nick Bonfield joined Golf Monthly in 2012 after graduating from Exeter University and earning an NCTJ-accredited journalism diploma from News Associates in Wimbledon. He is responsible for managing production of the magazine, sub-editing, writing, commissioning and coordinating all features across print and online. Most of his online work is opinion-based and typically centres around the Majors and significant events in the global golfing calendar. Nick has been an avid golf fan since the age of ten and became obsessed with the professional game after watching Mike Weir and Shaun Micheel win The Masters and PGA Championship respectively in 2003. In his time with Golf Monthly, he's interviewed the likes of Rory McIlroy, Justin Rose, Jose Maria Olazabal, Henrik Stenson, Padraig Harrington, Lee Westwood and Billy Horschel and has ghost-written columns for Westwood, Wayne Riley, Matthew Southgate, Chris Wood and Eddie Pepperell. Nick is a 12-handicap golfer and his favourite courses include Old Head, Sunningdale New, Penha Longha, Valderrama and Bearwood Lakes. If you have a feature pitch for Nick, please email nick.bonfield@futurenet.com with 'Pitch' in the subject line. Nick is currently playing: Driver: TaylorMade M1 Fairway wood: TaylorMade RBZ Stage 2 Hybrid: Ping Crossover Irons (4-9): Nike Vapor Speed Wedges: Cleveland CBX Full Face, 56˚, Titleist Vokey SM4, 60˚ Putter: testing in progress! Ball: TaylorMade TP5x
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