Seven of the greatest shots ever played in US Open history

The US Open has played a massive part in producing some of the most iconic moments in golf history.

This year, the tournament is back in action for the 123rd installment of the event, hosted at the Los Angeles Country Club in California.

The tournament will mark the third meeting of LIV Golf and PGA Tour players in 2023, with each league producing one major winner in the year so far.

Brooks Koepka has that honour for LIV, after becoming the first player to win a major after they'd joined the rival circuit.

The American's win last month at the PGA Championship also marked the fifth of his career and third at the tournament. Koepka's other two major titles are from the US Open, and he'll no doubt be looking to secure his third at the tournament this week.

Englishman Matt Fitzpatrick is the reigning US Open champion after grabbing his first professional win on American soil at The Country Club in Massachusetts last year.

He produced an iconic US Open shot that led to an eventual victory over Will Zalatoris and Scottie Scheffler.

Here's seven of the greatest US Open shots - starting with Fitzpatrick's - in the history of the major:

Matt Fitzpatrick (2022)

Matt Fitzpatrick grabbed his maiden major championship this time last year at The Country Club when he defeated Scheffler and Zalatoris by one stroke.

But none of that could've happened if it weren't for an incredible bunker shot on his 72nd hole of the tournament that allowed him to get up-and-down for par and secure the win.

A legendary bunker shot on the 72nd hole and so much more!

Tap below to watch of @MattFitz94's historic 2022 #USOpen victory at The Country Club.

— U.S. Open (USGA) (@usopengolf) June 21, 2022

Tiger Woods (2003)

While Tiger Woods didn't win the 2003 US Open at Olympia Fields, he did produce an incredible iron shot during the second round of the tournament.

Woods, the defending champion that year, missed the fairway right and had 247 yards to the pin. To make matter's worse, there was a large tree directly in the way between Woods and the green. Still, the now 15-time major winner pulled it off.

Jack Nicklaus (1972)

It's not very often you hear of players using a 1-iron, which made it all-the-more iconic when Jack Nicklaus stuck his shot at the par-3 17th of Pebble Beach using one.

Nicklaus stuck his ball about as close as possible without getting a hole-in-one, hitting the pin and having it bounce down within inches of the cup. He went on to win it that year by three strokes.

Tiger Woods (2000)

When you win by a record-breaking 15 (!) strokes at the US Open at Pebble Beach, you can be sure that a few of your shots will be making the highlight reel.

After missing the fairway at the par-5 6th, Woods had 202-yards still to go and a massive hill that took away any visual of the green. Miraculously, Woods somehow made it onto the green with a shot that left the commentators absolutely stunned.

Tom Watson (1982)

Tom Watson holed one of the most clutch chips of his career in 1982 during the US Open at Pebble Beach.

Watson had a difficult lie on the 17th, but ultimately was able to hole it, celebrating to the fullest in the immediate aftermath. The birdie ultimately secured a two-stroke victory over the legendary Nicklaus.

Justin Thomas (2017)

Justin Thomas may not have won the 2017 US Open at Erin Hills, but he did set a record with his 9-under 63 during the third round.

During that day, the American also made one of the greatest putts of all-time as he aimed in a wild direction to commit to what turned out to be an incredible read.

Hale Irwin (1990)

As far as celebrations go, Hale Irwin wins this list. During the 1990 US Open at Medinah, Irwin sank a monster putt to force an 18-hole playoff, which he went on to win the following day.

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