The Guinness will be flowing after two Irishmen made stunning holes-in-one during the first round of the Pebble Beach Pro-Am.
Rory McIlroy, playing his first PGA Tour event since September, made a slam-dunk on the 109m par-3 15th at Spyglass Hill.
Hours later, Shane Lowry made one on the iconic par-3 7th at Pebble Beach.
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Lowry’s shot landed short of the pin and rolled in, triggering raucous celebrations with his caddie and playing partners.
The 7th at Pebble Beach is considered one of the most iconic holes in golf, and hitting a hole-in-one there is considered even more special, even among professionals.
Rory McIlroy and Shane Lowry celebrate hitting holes in one during the opening round of the Pebble Beach Pro Am. Fox Sports
Lowry now has one of the greatest list of aces of all time, having made his other two at the 16th at Augusta during the Masters, and the island green 17th at Sawgrass during the Players Championship.
“It came out lovely just left of the hole … big bounce, it was perfect,” Lowry said after the round.
“It just spun and spun right into the hole. It was pretty cool.
“I don’t know what to say, I guess it’s just luck of the Irish or something. I know I’m pretty good at times, but you know, a bit of luck every now and then is helpful, too.”
The response when asked where he’d be drinking?
“School night”.
It was the second career ace on tour for McIlroy, who made his first during the opening round of the 2023 Travelers Championship.
“It’s sort of weird, you’re looking at it and you’re sort of watching where it might land on the green and the thing just disappears,” McIlroy said.
“Honestly, it was lucky, I don’t see many balls nowadays go straight in the hole and stay in the hole.
“Pretty fortunate because it could have come out and went back in the water or do anything.”
Lowry with the ball and his scorecard after the round. PGA TOUR
The aces both shoot a 6-under 66 in the first round. They sit in a seven-way tie for eighth, two shots off the lead.
Prior to this week, McIlroy had not played on the PGA Tour since the Tour Championship in September.
It was the first time since 2009 there were multiple aces in a round at the Pebble Beach tournament, a longtime fixture on the PGA Tour schedule that is now a signature event with a limited field.
The opening two rounds of the event are held across the neighbouring Spyglass Hill and Pebble Beach courses, before the weekend is played exclusively at Pebble.
– With AP
