McIlroy wins Shot of the Month again
Rory McIlroy’s towering three wood strike which set up an eagle three during the second round of the World Golf Championships – CA Championship has been awarded The European Tour Shot of the Month for March.
Rory won for an eagle. This might be a falconThe Northern Irishman was competing in only his second WGC event and was looking impressive after an opening 68 over a course known as the ‘Blue Monster’ at Doral Golf Resort and Spa in Florida. But his promising start was under threat as he decided to take on the dangerous approach to the par five eighth hole in the second round.
With 268 yards to the flag and water guarding the front of the green, McIlroy was faced with a classic risk-reward dilemma with his second shot. Fearlessly, the teenager opted for his fairway wood and the gamble paid off as the ball nestled a few feet from the pin. He tapped in the eagle putt and went on to shoot a 66, propelling him into tied second at the halfway stage.
“It was one of the best shots I have ever hit to be honest,” he said at the time. “I enjoy being aggressive on the golf course. I'm not going to change it. I get a kick out of it, and I'll keep playing like that. I get a kick out of it when I'm trying to go for greens and trying to go for pins over water.”
McIlroy’s shot was judged the winner of the March Shot of the Month award by a panel comprising golfing media who voted Søren Kjeldsen’s 30 foot birdie putt on the 71st hole at Real Club de Golf de Seville into second place. That putt gave the Dane a two shot lead playing the last and effectively sealed the Open de Andalucia de Golf 09 title and his second European Tour victory in Spain in the space of six months.
Third place went to India’s Jeev Milkha Singh for his seven iron tee shot to the par three 15th hole in the final round of the WGC – CA Championship. The ball came to rest a few feet from the well guarded pin, setting up a birdie which helped him finish in fourth place, the highest by a European Tour Member.
It is the second time McIlroy has won The European Tour Shot of the Month Award this year having also claimed the January award for the bunker shot which helped him win the Dubai Desert Classic. Paul Casey won the February award for the six iron he holed for an eagle two during the final of the WGC – Accenture Match Play in Arizona.
The European Tour Shot of the Month 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 into The European Tour Shot of the Year.