Golf's all-time greatest comebacks

With the unofficial ‘fifth major’ - the Players’ Championship - currently taking place in Florida just a few weeks after Bubba Watson won the Masters for the second time in three years, it’s been a busy period for golf spread betters.

The beauty of spread betting on golf is that you can bet on so much more than just the eventual winner or place positions given the wide range of markets available.

Selections such as Player Round Scores (buy or sell on a predicted score per player per given round), 10-3 Matchbets (bet on one players’ performance against another based on 10 points per winning player score plus 3 points per shot won by) Tournament Specials or Final Finishing Positions provide a variety of bets for the discerning gambler over a four day event.

The choice of different betting markets was of some comfort to punters during the Masters last month as Bubba built up a healthy lead and never looked like throwing the Green Jacket away.

However, that’s not to say punters don’t enjoy witnessing the odd famous comeback, or choke, depending on how you look at it.

Below we outline some of the most dramatic finishes at golf’s majors in recent memory.

British Open 1999, Paul Lawrie
The British Open has produced some memorable moments over the years. One of the most storied occurred at Carnoustie in 1999, where Jean van de Velde blew a seemingly unassailable lead, to hand victory to Paul Lawrie in a play-off. His collapse is made all the more remarkable given that Van de Velde only required a double-bogey six on the last. However, the pressure took its toll and the unfortunate Frenchman found himself in deep rough and eventually the Barry Burn water. The sight of Van de Velde with his trousers rolled up, attempting to play the submerged ball will live long in the memory.

1986 US Masters, Jack Nicklaus
46 year-old Jack Nicklaus rolled back the years at the 86 Masters shooting a seven-under par in the final round. Dismissed by some as ‘washed up’ before the tournament, Nicklaus began quietly with scores of 74, 71 and 69 which left him four shots behind Greg Norman going into the final round. The last day proved to be rather eventful with five different players holding the lead at different points. However, Nicklaus powered to victory, spurred on by an audacious 4-iron shot at the water-guarded 15th.

1978 US Masters, Gary Player
The diminutive South African registered his most famous victory at Augusta in 1978. Trailing by ten shots going into the final round, he shot a 30 on the back nine. His strong finish included seven putts of at least 10 feet including a fifteen-footer on the final hole. Despite his strong performance, Player had to wait in the clubhouse for 40 minutes so that the remaining groups could finish their rounds. However, he would not be denied, eventually winning the Masters by a single shot. His final-round 64, proved decisive thanks in part to some fantastic putting.

1960 US Open, Arnold Palmer
Golfing legend Arnold Palmer produced his own, monumental comeback at the 1960 US Open. Trailing Mike Souchak by eight strokes at one stage and written off by most commentators, Palmer shot a 65 in the final round. His amazing performance eventually earned him a two shot victory over fellow comeback-king, Jack Nicklaus. His final day heroics included a successful 90 foot chip for birdie on the second hole followed by an 18 foot putt on the 4th. It was Palmer’s only victory at the US Open following three play-off defeats and two runner-up spots.