Mo Martin hits the shot of her life to set up an eagle on the 72nd hole to win the British Open

There are certain golf shots hit at major championships that don’t need explaining. Sarazen at the 1935 Masters. Jack Nicklaus’ 1-iron at Pebble Beach in ’72. Tiger’s chip on the 16th at Augusta National in 2005.

Mo Martin’s second shot on the 18th at Royal Birkdale should make that list. Trailing late on Sunday at the Women’s British Open, Martin knew she needed at least a birdie on the final hole to give herself a chance at not only her first major championship but her first ever win on the LPGA Tour.

Martin did one better when her second shot rolled and rolled and rolled some more before clanking into the pin and nearly dropping for the albatross. The ball settled five feet away, and even after Martin backed off the putt once, she calmly rolled it in for her first eagle of the entire year and a round of even-par 72, the low score of the day.

When Inbee Park’s bunker shot came up well short to tie Martin, the 31-year-old American turned to her caddie and said, “Is this real life?!”

it was, and Martin’s approach shot at Birkdale and subsequent eagle will live on for a long time at this championship, as Martin pointed out after her round.

Mo Martin to BBC on near albatross on 18 : “The 2nd shot is one I’m going to remember. I actually heard it hit the flag. I said `Oh my God.’

— Randall Mell (@RandallMellGC) July 13, 2014

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Shane Bacon is the editor of Devil Ball Golf and Busted Racquet on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at shanebaconblogs@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter at @ShaneBacon!

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