Fredrik Jacobson of Sweden has become the first multiple winner of one of The Royal Bank of Scotland Shot of the Month Awards since its inception at the start of 2003. Jacobson, who won the April Award, has added the trophy for October thanks to the stunning shot he played at the 72nd hole of the Volvo Masters Andalucia at Club de Golf Valderrama, Spain.
Jacobson, who struck a 152 yard nine iron to within 18 inches of the hole to force a play-off with Spain’’s Carlos Rodiles, which he subsequently won at the fourth extra hole, receives The Royal Bank of Scotland Shot of the Month Trophy from Waterford Crystal and a cheque for £1000 to be donated to a charity of his choice.
That masterly stroke, which helped earn Jacobson his third title of the year on The European Tour International Schedule, was voted by a panel comprising The European Tour and the golfing media as the best played by a European Tour Member during the month of October.
In April, the 29 year old Swede had been tied for the lead with two holes remaining of the Algarve Open de Portugal at Vale do Lobo, and effectively sealed the tournament by holing his pitch for an eagle three at the 17th hole in the final round.
Five months later Jacobson has added the October Award, while another of his shots at Valderrama was voted in third place – an eight iron from behind a tree at the first play-off hole which finished just off the green.
In second place was a superb wedge by Rodiles at the 17th hole on the final day which set up a birdie four and earned him a two stroke lead playing the last, an advantage which was cancelled out by Jacobson’’s birdie three to the Spaniard’’s bogey five.
Jacobson commented: “It is wonderful to win this monthly award for a second time. Of my two shots nominated for October I would have to consider the nine iron in regulation play as the superior one. After all, without that birdie three I wouldn’’t have been in a play-off at all.”
The Royal Bank of Scotland Shot of the Month Award, in association with The European Tour, Sky Sports and Golf Weekly, is presented to the Tour Member for the shot judged to be the most outstanding played during each calendar month on The European Tour International Schedule. Next month, the winning shots from each month will be entered towards The Royal Bank of Scotland Shot of the Year Award.
Jacobson’’s October shot is the tenth monthly nominee for the annual award, following his effort in April and Trevor Immelman (January), Paul Casey (February), Robert-Jan Derksen (March), Ignacio Garrido (May), Philip Golding (June), Sergio Garcia (July), Darren Clarke (August) and Lee Westwood (September).
