Pro Golfer Pulls Off Unbelievable Swing: Climbs a Tree and Shoots a Perfect Backwards, One-Handed Shot into the Fairway

Sunday, during the final round of the 2013 Arnold Palmer Invitational golf tournament, pro golfer Sergio Garcia made a shot that further illustrates the gigantic chasm between the weekend warrior and professionals like himself.

Garcia was playing the relatively short, 382-yard 10th hole at Bay Hill when his second shot ended up in the crook of a tree.

Image: YouTube

After climbing the tree and considering his options (attempting the shot or taking a one-stroke, unplayable lie penalty and dropping the ball back into the rough near the tree), Garcia chose to attempt a one-handed, backwards shot.

Image: YouTube

Of course, the announcers and spectators were having a great deal of fun watching this unusual effort. One announcer is heard speculating that Sergio had chosen a "tree iron" to hit the ball from its lofty perch. After a few attempts to practice the strange swing needed to execute the shot, Garcia gave it his all and the ball landed in the middle of the fairway.

Following his amazing shot, Garcia dropped from the tree and finished the hole with a less than stellar result, carding a double-bogey 6.

Image: YouTube

Two holes later and well back of the leader, Tiger Woods, Garcia withdrew from the tournament. The PGA did not initially give a reason for his departure.

Shortly after Garcia left, a violent thunderstorm rolled through the Orlando area on Sunday, and play was suspended. Thanks to quick action taken by tournament officials, play was stopped and people were directed to leave the course. No one was injured by the lightning, winds or rain. The tournament will be finished Monday.

Image: PGATour.com

The storm was so powerful that it washed out sand in some of the bunkers, flooded greens and actually destroyed a TV tower that housed an NBC camera covering the tournament. AP's golf writer Doug Ferguson posted this photograph on his Twitter account (@DougFerguson405) with the caption: 'NBC tower behind the 10th green. Ouch. There's a camera in that mess."

Image: Twitter

When play begins again on Monday, Tiger Woods will be atop the leader-board with a three-shot lead.

(H/T: SB Nation)