Although 2024 featured some thrilling golf, particularly from Scottie Scheffler, there were also moments that some of the sport’s biggest stars would rather forget.
Those performing at the elite level are not immune to the odd shank, thin or duffed chip, which frequently happen within the amateur scene.
Here, The Golfing Gazette names five of the worst golf shots from the past year, which will surely make amateur golfers feel better about their games!
Tiger Woods’ shank at 2024 Genesis Invitational
Playing his first event of 2024 at the Genesis Invitational, Tiger Woods had a moment to forget on the 18th.
Level par for the day, Woods shanked his approach shot straight right into the rough. The 15-time winner would manage to scramble a bogey, however.
“Oh, I definitely shanked it,” Woods said. “I came down and it didn’t move. I presented hosel first and shanked it.”
“It’s been a while, definitely been a while. Other than trying to hit flop shots and other kind of weird shots around the greens.”
Scottie Scheffler bunker shot at the Tour Championship
During the final round of the 2024 Tour Championship, Scottie Scheffler was faced with a daunting bunker shot on the eighth hole after missing the green with his approach.
Unfazed and prepared to take a full swing, Scheffler shanked his bunker shot back down the fairway before eventually making a bogey.
The world number one bounced back emphatically, making birdie on the next three holes.
Joseph Bramlett at 2024 Shriners Children’s Open
Joseph Bramlett at the Shriners Children’s Open is next up on the list.
Sitting at six under midway through the second round, Bramlett five-putted after having a ten-foot putt for birdie on the first. The American would go on to make a triple-bogey.
Those on commentary saw the issue coming, however. “Yesterday, we saw him miss some very short putts at the end of the day, and that was very shaky,” said Smylie Kaufman.
Wyndham Clark at 2024 Players Championship
Wyndham Clark came up agonisingly short at the 2024 Players Championship, and the American will no doubt regret what happened during the third round.
Playing the iconic par-three 124-yard 17th, Clark caught his tee shot extremely heavy with just a sand wedge in hand. The American’s ball would land 20 yards short of the green and very much in the hazard. Clark would go on to make bogey.
“Fortunately, I went first, and I had some time to think about it,” Clark said after his round. “I asked my caddie John [Ellis], and he said, ‘[drop zone is] just too close for us to be able to hit it.’ So, the easier shot was just redoing it. We had a good club. Honestly, I made a bad swing and chunked it, and if we went closer, I think it made it a tougher shot.”
Scottie Scheffler at the 2024 Memorial Tournament
During the third round of the 2024 Memorial Tournament, world number one Scheffler ran into a world of trouble after he double-crossed his drive on the par-four ninth.
After his first attempt ended out of bounds, Scheffler’s provisional found the right rough. The American would lay-up and two-putt, resulting in a triple-bogey seven and sending Scheffler back into a tie for the lead.
Of course, the 28-year-old would go on to win the tournament by one shot after facing intense pressure from Collin Morikawa during the final round.
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