Cabrera claims award

Angel Cabrera has won the European Tour Shot of the Year award for his spectacular nine-iron approach to the 15th hole in his winning of the United States Open in June.

The 169-yard approach finished just 18 inches from the hole for a vital birdie as Cabrera held off Tiger Woods and Jim Furyk to become Argentina’s first major champion for 40 years.

“I had the perfect yardage for a nine-iron and was able to attack the pin with a little fade,” he said. “You can tell from my reaction immediately afterwards that I knew I had almost holed it.

“I was delighted to be left with a tap-in for a birdie, which put me three shots clear with three holes to play. Looking back that shot was possibly the most important I played in that final round.”

In second place was the November winner, the magnificent albatross by Graeme McDowell on the 17th hole at Valderrama in the final round of the 2007 Volvo Masters.

McDowell’s 186-yard seven-iron brought him into a share of the lead and he described it “one of those magic moments”.

Steve Webster’s second shot to the par five 12th in the final round on his way to victory in the Portugal Masters in October took third place.

The four-iron over water finished 10 feet from the flag and set up a crucial eagle three.