Rafa Echenique's Albatross Celebration

Rafa Echenique’s stunning three iron second shot to the 72nd hole at the BMW International Open for an albatross two has won the Argentine golfer The European Tour Shot of the Month Award for June. Echenique holed out from 243 yards for the first albatross in the 21-year history of the BMW International Open at Golfclub München Eichenried. That superb shot – the impressive final blow in a round of 62 - lifted Echenique to 21 under par and in contention for the title. Although England’s Nick Doughery eventually secured victory with a 64 and 22 under par total of 266, it was Echenique’s master stroke which reverberated around Golfclub München Eichenried. He commented: “It was a fantastic feeling. Unbelievable. I hit a great driver and then I had 243 yards to the pin. The wind helped a little bit to the left and I hit a great shot, a little draw with a three iron. I didn't understand what had happened until the crowd started cheering. I didn't believe it. This was my first albatross and absolutely one of the greatest moments in my career so far.” In second place was a shot from the same tournament in Germany, Graeme Storm of England holing his approach for an eagle two at the 15th hole in the final round. Third place went to Henrik Stenson of Sweden for his deft chip-in at the first hole in the fourth round of the US Open Championship. Winners of the Shot of the Month in 2009 are: Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland (January and March), Paul Casey of England (February and May) and Argentina’s Angel Cabrera (April). The European Tour Shot of the Month is awarded to the Tour Member for the shot judged to be the best played each month on The European Tour International Schedule. At the end of the season, the winning shot from each month will be nominated for the Shot of the Year Award.