Graeme McDowell's crucial Ryder Cup putt voted 'Shot of Year'

Graeme McDowell's crucial birdie putt on the 16th hole on the final day of the Ryder Cup has been voted the European Tour Shot of the Year for 2010.

The 31-year-old's achievements last year - he became the first British player in 40 years to win the US Open - have been recognised around the world with a host of awards and accolades, and among the many great shots he played in a phenomenal season it was the 15-foot putt on the 16th green at Celtic Manor during his singles tie against Hunter Mahan which stood head and shoulders above the rest. Knowing that the outcome rested firmly on his shoulders, McDowell held his nerve in front of the tens of thousands of spectators gathered around the green - and millions glued to television sets - to stroke the ball home.

McDowell went on to beat Mahan at the next hole to secure the winning point in Europe's 14-13 victory over the United States, the narrowest margin of victory since 1991.

McDowell said: "That putt was the best I've hit in my life. It was just 15 feet but it was above the hole and very fast. I knew I just had to get the ball going and thankfully it caught an edge and dropped in because I wouldn't have fancied the one back if it had missed! In the context of the Ryder Cup, that 16th hole was massive as I was aware that everything was riding on the outcome of my singles match with Hunter. I will never forget the feeling standing over that putt - it was as important as any stroke I will ever play in my career and I am delighted it has been voted as the Shot of the Year."

The award gives McDowell, competing this week in the PGA Tour's Tournament of Champions in Hawaii, a notable double as he was also named the joint recipient of the 2010 Race to Dubai European Tour Golfer of the Year award along with Martin Kaymer, as well as the winner of the annual awards from the Association of Golf Writers, the Golf Writers' Association of America and the Irish Golf Writers while he was also named RTE Sportsperson of the Year.

Meanwhile, Geoff Ogilvy's 2011 campaign began on a bitter note when he pulled out of the event in Hawaii before the start of yesterday's first round due to a finger injury.

The 33-year-old, who has won the PGA Tour's elite season-opening event for the last two years, hurt his right index finger while coming out of the ocean.