In a moment that has been etched in golfing lore, American golfer Craig Barlow accomplished a remarkable feat during the 2008 Buick Open. His eagle putt on the par-5 dogleg 1st hole measured an incredible 111 feet and 5 inches. What makes this achievement even more astonishing is that Barlow did not utilize a putter for this historic putt. Instead, he used a lob wedge to chip the ball into the hole. Despite this unconventional approach, it remains the longest officially recorded putt in PGA Tour history.
It is imperative to acknowledge that any shot taken on the green is classified as a putt in the sport of golf, which is why Barlow’s chip with a lob wedge is officially recognized as the longest putt in PGA Tour history. This distinction signifies that even though other golfers have managed to get the ball into the hole from further distances, their shots were not technically putts as they were executed from off the green or with a club other than a putter.
Barlow’s extraordinary shot came after reaching the green in just two shots with his driver and a 3-wood. His chip onto the three-tier green led to the ball bouncing a couple of times before rolling into the hole, securing his place in the record books for the longest putt in PGA Tour history.
The introduction of Shot Link on the PGA Tour in 2001 has standardized shot measurements at every PGA Tour event since 2003. This technology has provided a more precise and consistent method for measuring the length of every shot played, ensuring that records are accurately documented. Prior to this, shot measurements were determined more haphazardly, resulting in many lists of longest putts on the PGA Tour only including those from the Shot Link era.
While Barlow’s putt is officially recognized as the longest in PGA Tour history, the Guinness Book of Records attributes Jack Nicklaus and Nick Price with holing putts of 110 feet at the 1964 Tournament of Champions at Desert Inn and the 1992 PGA Championship at Bellerive, respectively. Angel Cabrera also came close to Barlow’s effort with a 103-foot and 5-inch putt in the 2011 Phoenix Open at TPC Scottsdale during the Shot Link era.
In conclusion, Craig Barlow’s incredible accomplishment in holing the longest putt in the history of the PGA Tour is a testimony to his skill and precision on the green. This historic moment will forever be etched in the annals of golfing history and serves as a reminder of the incredible feats that can be achieved on the golf course.