Not only did Richard Sterne’s courageous bunker shot on the first extra hole go a long way towards securing the Joburg Open title, it was also good enough to be voted The European Tour Shot of the Month for January.
Having birdied the 551 yard 18th at Royal Johannesburg and Kensington Golf Club in his final round, the 26 year old South African looked to be in trouble at the same hole in the subsequent play-off when an errant drive found a fairway bunker.
With compatriot Garth Mulroy and Sweden’s Magnus A Carlsson both in better positions off the tee, Sterne knew he had to produce something special to ensure his hopes of capturing a third European Tour title stayed alive.
Never one to back away from a challenge and realising it was make or break, Sterne pulled a four iron from his bag and proceeded to propel his ball 216 yards to the heart of the green, landing it 15 feet from the hole.
Sterne said: “It was close all day, so it required something special to win. It was a pretty impressive shot, even if I say so myself. I thought about laying up, but it was a play-off and the shot was 50:50. I thought it was on, and went for it.”
Two putts from Sterne for another birdie four and two up and downs by his rivals ensured a return to the 18th tee, with the man from the city of Pretoria the only member of the trio to make birdie second time around and so lay claim to a winner’s cheque for €174,350.
Finishing runner-up in the January Shot of the Month Awards was Sweden’s Johan Edfors, for his fearless approach to the 15th on day three of the Commercialbank Qatar Masters presented by Dolphin Energy; whilst Germany’s Martin Kaymer’s huge two iron over the water and onto the 18th green on the final day of the Dubai Desert Classic was voted the third best shot of the month.
The European Tour Shot of the Month Award 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. The winning shots from each month are entered towards The European Tour Shot of the Year Award.
News
