Golf's best moments of the year

Truth be told, we at WorldGolf.com usually don't pay much attention to the Japan Golf Tour. But when Masahiro Kuramoto turned in a tour record 12-under-par 59 at September's Acom International tournament, it certainly caught our collective eye. Complete with 12 birdies, his bogey-free round has to be considered one of the top accomplishments in pro golf this year.

Granted, it doesn't rank with Mike Weir's win at the Masters. (After all, Kuramoto's 59 was carded in the tournament's first round.) But surely it deserves a spot among the top golf events of the year. Where would you rank it? And what would you call the biggest - and best - moment in golf this year? Let us know what you think; we'll print a few selected responses below.

Excellence knows no boundaries

Golf is a global game and recognising Masahiro Kuramoto's score of 59 is important. When Gary Player shot 59 in the 1974 Brazilian Open to be the first pro ever to do so, I know many were disappointed it went largely unrecognised in America.

Marc B. Player, via email

An Irish birthday present

For me, the Greatest Golf Moment of 2003 occurred on July 20. No, it was not Ben Curtis winning The Open Championship; it was me celebrating my 60th birthday playing Royal Dornoch. Granted there were few spectators, but I cannot describe a greater personal or golfing event of my life. The weather was perfect, the course fast and true, the company engaging, and the world was right on that day. I did follow the round with a pint of brew in the clubhouse while watching a fellow Ohioan probably have the same feelings. It's enough to make me do it again next year.

Michael Fisher, via email

A shot to remember

Shaun Micheel's shot into the green on 18 at the PGA Championship gets my vote for best golf moment of the year.

Mike Stasch, via email

Weir was simply Masterful

I would definitely say that Mike Weir's Masters win was a Major Highlight. His great play on the last 2 days and into the playoff was great golf where he had fantastic composure. Well done, Mike!

Steve Hendry, via email

Curtis gets his vote

In response to the 59 shot on the Japan Tour, I think Ben Curtis' British Open win was by far the win of the year. This was a guy that I didn't even know of, and he beat all the best players in the world!

Dave Vandenberg, via email

Another vote for Micheel

Best Golf moment of 2003: Shaun Micheel's shot to the18th green at Oak Hill to win the PGA championship. This wins hands down!

D.C. Clark, via email