The $11 Million Shot

Bill Haas hit an incredible wedge shot from the water en route to winning both the Tour Championship and the FedEx Cup. Was Haas' shot the best of all time?

       Whether you're a weekend hacker or a seasoned professional, everyone faces some sort of pressure on the golf course. What Bill Haas accomplished Sunday afternoon under the spotlight and with over $11 million on the line was unbelievable. With his ball barely in a greenside lake, Haas had to get up and down to keep his hopes alive to win the both the Tour Championship and FedEx Cup. NBC commentator Johnny Miller said that if Haas hit the shot to within 15 feet he'd be happy. Instead, Haas nipped his shot perfectly, as it splashed onto the green and spun to within two feet of the hole. Sure if Haas tried the same shot 100 times again, he might not be able to do it again (and he'd eventually probably turn into this year's Aquaman.) Here are some other shots that defied the odds.

Phil Mickelson, 2010 Masters

       Standing in the pine needles on the 13^th hole in the final round of the 2010 Masters, Phil Mickelson had a two shot lead. He's always been known as a risk taker and this shot was no different. He had over 200 yards to the par 5 green that had trouble both short and long. Instead of chipping out like that average human being, Mickelson took the gambled and pulled off a thrilling shot. The shot led to his third green jacket.

Tiger Woods, 2005 Masters

       The 2005 edition of the Masters was a two-horse race between Tiger Woods and Chris DiMarco. The wiley veteran was battling with Woods throughout the final two days of the tournament. It looked like DiMarco had an opening on the 16^th hole, until Tiger remarkably chipped in from an impossible spot. Not only was it a great ad for Nike, but the shot was Tiger's defining moment in his fourth Masters win.

Tom Watson, 1982 US Open

       Tom Watson had always made it very clear that the US Open was the tournament he wanted to win the most. Standing on the 17^th tee, Watson was tied with Jack Nicklaus. His two-iron sailed into the gunky rough. He knew it'd be a tough shot and his longtime caddy Bruce Edwards told him to 'get it close.' Watson looked at him and smirked, responding with, 'get it close, hell I'm going to hole it.' He made no mistake, jarring the chip which led to his victory at the 1982 US Open.

Jonathan Byrd, 2010 Justin Timberlake Shriners Hospital Open

       Every golfer, no matter how skilled always dreams of making the 15 foot birdie putt to win a tournament. Maybe some would rather the chance to lag one close and tap in for the victory. But getting a hole-in-one to win a professional golf tournament? I'm sure Jonathan Byrd never thought he could do that. In the fourth hole of a playoff and the sunlight quickly setting, Byrd thought he'd end the Justin Timberlake Shriners Hospital Open in walkoff fashion.

       Although all of those shots were incredible, Haas' nifty wedge shot was that much better. With so much at stake, this has to be one of the best shots of all time. There aren't many scenarios in sports where there's a $9.876 million difference between first and second. Bill Haas' reputation has now completely changed to the golf world. For his first few years on the tour, the 29 year old was in his father's shadow. He'll now be known as the champion of the 2011 Tour Championship and FedEx Cup.