Guinness Celebrates as Irish Stars Rory McIlroy and Shane Lowry Achieve Holes-in-One

Guinness will certainly be flowing after two Irish golfers achieved remarkable holes-in-one during the opening round of the Pebble Beach Pro-Am.

Rory McIlroy, making his return to the PGA Tour for the first time since September, executed a stunning slam-dunk on the 109-metre par-3 15th at Spyglass Hill.

Just hours later, Shane Lowry followed suit with an ace on the legendary par-3 7th at Pebble Beach.

Lowry’s shot landed just short of the pin, rolling in and sparking jubilant celebrations with his caddie and fellow competitors.

The 7th hole at Pebble Beach is renowned as one of the most iconic in golf, and making a hole-in-one there is a truly exceptional feat, even for professionals.

Lowry now boasts one of the most impressive records of hole-in-ones, having previously aced the 16th hole at Augusta during the Masters and the famed island green 17th at Sawgrass during the Players Championship.

“It came out beautifully, just left of the hole … it took a big bounce, and it was spot-on,” said Lowry post-round.

“It just spun and spun right into the hole. What a thrill that was.

“I guess it’s a bit of Irish luck or something. I know I’m capable at times, but a bit of luck never hurts either.”

When asked about his plans for a drink, he replied, “It’s a school night.”

This marked McIlroy’s second career hole-in-one on tour, with his first coming during the opening round of the 2023 Travelers Championship.

“It’s a funny feeling, watching where it might land on the green, and then it just disappears,” McIlroy remarked.

“Honestly, it was quite lucky; you don’t see many balls go straight in and stay there these days.

“I was fortunate because it could have easily bounced out and dropped back in the water.”

Both players recorded a score of 6-under 66 in the first round, placing them in a seven-way tie for eighth, just two shots behind the leaders.

Before this event, McIlroy had not participated in the PGA Tour since the Tour Championship last September.

This was the first instance of multiple aces in a single round at the Pebble Beach tournament since 2009, a long-established fixture on the PGA Tour that has turned into a quintessential event with a limited field.

The opening rounds of the tournament are played across the neighbouring Spyglass Hill and Pebble Beach courses, culminating in exclusive play at Pebble during the weekend.

– With AP