Fulke wins shot of the year

Pierre Fulke’s five wood second shot to the 16th hole in the final round of the Volvo Masters at Montecastillo has been awarded the Canon Shot of the Year on the European Tour.

The 29 year old Swede fired his 215 yard second shot to within 25 feet of the pin at the 517 yards hole and holed the putt for an eagle three to set up his second win on the European Tour this year and effectively seal Darren Clarke's fate in the order of merit race.

“It was, without question, the best shot I’ve hit in my career – especially under the pressure of knowing the title was on the line” he said. “I split the fairway with my drive and as I walked towards my ball I thought the wind was pretty much in my face and I reckoned I would need a three wood to reach the green.

“However I got there and realised the wind was off the left, blowing towards the water guarding the green to the right. Darren played first and laid up just short of the green. I expected him to make a birdie four from there – as he did – so I knew the worst I could afford was a birdie to match him. I wasn’t really thinking ‘eagle’ at that stage.

“I had the perfect yardage for my five wood so I grabbed the club, and hit the shot just where I aimed, about six yards to the left of the pin. It was a dangerous shot and I knew it. I had to aim to the left because anything off-line to the right would flirt with the water, especially with the left to right wind. If I had gone in the water that would have been that.

“My mouth was dry but I knew as soon as I made contact that it was a good strike and I was on the move straight away, still watching my ball in flight but knowing it was good. It landed softly on exactly the place on the green that I wanted to hit, and the eagle putt was a bonus.”