Golf:Paul Casey's five-wood approach to the par five ninth in the opening round of the Volvo Golf Champions tournament in Bahrain earned him the year's first shot of the month award from the European Tour.
The English golfer went on to win the inaugural event in the kingdom but his 265-yard approach was picked out for special mention to earn him the January shot of the month award.
The green was protected by a well positioned bunker, but Casey sent his ball soaring over the sand before landing eight feet from the cup. Casey was selected ahead of Charl Schwartzel and Martin Kaymer.
“This is the third time I’ve won the shot of the month and it’s always great to win these awards – especially as this one was voted for by the public,” said Casey.
“I couldn’t have hit the shot much better – I knew right away that there was a fair chance it would finish close to the hole. But it was only a great shot because I rolled in the eagle putt. If I’d missed, it would’ve undone all my hard work.”
Schwartzel’s near-perfect bunker shot on the 13th hole of the Royal Johannesburg & Kensington Golf Club during the final round of the Joburg Open helped the South African complete a successful title defence, while Kaymer matched that feat at the Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship, thanks to shots like his approach from the desert sand to the 13th hole in the final round.
Graeme McDowell won last year’s overall title of shot of the year for his unforgettable birdie putt on the 16th green during the final day singles of the Ryder Cup at Celtic Manor in Wales.
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