Pádraig Harrington's "perfect" five wood to the to the par five 17th en route to his successful defence of the British Open crown at Birkdale has earned the Dubliner the European Tour Shot of the Year award.
Graeme McDowell's approach to the third play-off hole at the Ballantine's Championship in Korea was judged the second best shot of the year while another Harrington effort, this time at the USPGA, was third.
Harrington, who continued his Major championship revolution by adding the US PGA Championship to his CV at Oakland Hills, went into the back nine during the final round at Birkdale looking to defend the Claret Jug against the challenges of Greg Norman and Ian Poulter.
Harrington was locked in battle with the Australian and the Englishman as the trio entered the final stretch, but elevated himself to the top of the leaderboard with brilliant birdies on the 13th and 15th holes before the piercing five wood approach to the 17th. It set up a sensational eagle that would ensure a second Open victory in the space of 12 months.
"On the 17th, I hit my five wood off the tee and hit it really solid," reflected Harrington. "It was good to hit the fairway. I had 220 yards to the front of the green and 249 yards to the pin. The five wood is my favourite club and I knew I could make birdie if I hit that club
"I was anxious that Greg could make eagle going down there, and if I laid up and I made par, all of a sudden it was very close. I wasn't so much worried about the guy that was two holes ahead of me and finished (Poulter). I was worried if I laid up and made par, I was giving Greg a great chance to get within one shot of me, and one shot is not comfortable in any shape or form going down the 18th.
"Once I hit it, it was perfect. It's one of the few times I think I've ever heard my caddie say good shot to me before the ball is finished. Normally he waits until the ball has actually stopped before he says anything."
The full list of monthly winners in 2008 were:
January
Richard Sterne
February
Mark Brown
March
Graeme McDowell
April
Darren Clarke
May
Richard Finch
June
Martin Kaymer of
July
Pádraig Harrington
August
Pádraig Harrington
September
Gonzalo Fernandez-Castaño
October
Sergio Garcia
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