2016 highlights: social media posts of the year

As we continue our review of the 2016 season, here are some of our favourite posts from social media this year.

<strong><span style="font-size: 18px;">Dave Coupland loves running (and hates the rain)</span></strong>

The first two days of the Najeti Open were severely rain-affected, with play not ending until 10.30pm on the first two days as the tournament organisers sought to make up for the lost time.

On the Thursday afternoon, with the klaxons having sounded because of threat of lightning, the course was evacuated, and Dave Coupland was more eager than most to escape the impending downpour:

A fact we enjoyed reminding him of as the season progressed...

And again...

And again...

<strong><span style="font-size: 18px;">Rain in Hainan for the Hammer</span></strong>

We can only imagine how quickly Dave Coupland would have been running if he had been caught in the incredible storms that hit the Hainan Open in October - the tournament was ultimately cut to 36 holes and, from Bernd Ritthammer's video, it is easy to see why!

<strong><span style="font-size: 18px;">All too much for Mo</span></strong>

And Moritz Lampert's cameo in that video was too good an opportunity to miss!

<strong><span style="font-size: 18px;">#baller</span></strong>

James Heath's practice routine caught the eye at the Terre dei Consoli Open, showing why he is such a #baller.

<strong><span style="font-size: 18px;">Champagne moment</span></strong>

And at the same tournament, Johan Edfors showed how to celebrate victory - with a little help from compatriot Sebastian Soderberg!

<strong><span style="font-size: 18px;">Jeff's unorthodox approach</span></strong>

Back in August, Jeff Karlsson caught the eye with his swing - certainly not from any textbook we know of, but it was undeniably effective as he led going into the final round of the Swedish Challenge hosted by Robert Karlsson.

<strong><span style="font-size: 18px;">When Romain met Beef</span></strong>

Two men who enjoyed breakthrough seasons of different kinds met each other at the Omega European Masters on the European Tour as Romain Langasque, in his first season as a professional on the Challenge Tour, played alongside 2014 Rankings winner and Challenge Tour legend Andrew 'Beef' Johnston for the first two rounds - and got this brilliant selfie to prove it!

<strong><span style="font-size: 18px;">The Belgian boys</span></strong>

An incredible day for Belgian golf at the end of August as Thomas Detry smashed Challenge Tour records on the way to his maiden Challenge Tour win at the Bridgestone Challenge - he won by a staggering 12 shots - while his close friend Thomas Pieters was wrapping up victory in the Made In Denmark to help clinch a wildcard spot in the European Ryder Cup team.

<strong><span style="font-size: 18px;">Tears of a proud mother</span></strong>

Jordan Smith was a deserved Road to Oman Rankings winner after an incredible maiden season on the Challenge Tour and when he walked off the 18th green after his final round at the NBO Golf Classic Grand Final, his proud mother could not stop herself from embracing her champion son in a tearful hug.

<strong><span style="font-size: 18px;">Marcus does Miguel</span></strong>

Miguel Angel Jiménez may have some competition in 2017 as Marcus Armitage fully enjoyed celebrating his European Tour graduation in Oman with a big grin and an even bigger cigar.