Y.E. Yang’s use of a hybrid club helped him steal an upset victory against Tiger Woods at the 2009 PGA Championship.
Leading by one stroke on the final hole, Yang used his #3 hybrid iron to clear a tree and a bunker, settling only 12 feet from the cup. This set up Yang’s birdie putt and a shout of joy, with pumped fists in celebration of a historic three-shot victory.
Here’s a breakdown of how a 3-hybrid helped Yang deliver:
- He could use a sweeping swing out of the first cut of rough, which provided full loft to the shot. Hit the ball high enough to clear the tree between him and the hole.
- The high shot landed close to the pin with a small amount of roll, even from 200-plus yards.
- The extra heel-to-toe forgiveness was a comforting insurance, because even if Yang missed the center of the club, the results would have been better than with a standard iron.
All these hybrid advantages gave Yang the necessary confidence to pull off the shot under pressure.
