This comes to us from the PGA Champions Tour, which this played the Shaw Charity Classic at Canyon Meadows in Calgary. Joe Durant was attempting to fend off a Sunday charge from Scott McCarron; Durant was tied for the lead as he played the 17th, and attempted to tap-in for par.
Then, this happened:
Oh no!
Durant misses a short one at 17 and falls out of a share of the lead. @ShawClassic pic.twitter.com/3IXLGWd2iW
— PGA TOUR Champions (@ChampionsTour) September 2, 2018
That’s just shudder-inducing for anyone who has ever played golf. Pros attempt these tap-ins weekly, taking odd stances to avoid stepping in the lines of other players, but typically it’s for putts with essentially a 100% make percentage. Durant’s was a bit outside that automatic zone, and his stance was clearly not balanced; when you’re on the second-to-last hole and tied for the lead, that’s probably one you just go ahead and mark.
The reaction from the gallery is suitably shocked, too; arms thrown up, people turning away. It’s as though his caddy came from offscreen and rocked Durant with a steel chair.
The fan reactions are awesome. A synchronized “Ohhhhhhhhh” and the “shit”
— Tron Carter (@TronCarterNLU) September 3, 2018
To make matters worse, Durant actually hit the par-5 18th in two, giving himself an eagle putt to force a playoff with McCarron:
Joe Durant unable to make eagle at 18. @ScottMcCarron is going to defend @ShawClassic! pic.twitter.com/52PW8z6zoJ
— PGA TOUR Champions (@ChampionsTour) September 2, 2018
That really hurts. Durant ended up one shot out in a T2 finish. McCarron, meanwhile, had a great day, including a hole in one on the closing nine:
🚨🚨WOW. ACE. HOLE 14.@ScottMccarron is now one off the lead at @ShawClassic! pic.twitter.com/brWQ3Lx7Rs
— PGA TOUR Champions (@ChampionsTour) September 2, 2018
So hey, we have a shot from 140+ yards going in, while a putt from a foot missed, and those strokes ended up deciding the tournament. Golf is so often a cruel game.
