Sepp Straka becomes latest golfer with U.S. Open hole-in-one

Sepp Straka’s ace at the U.S. Open this year at Pinehurst Resort has injected a notable highlight into his tournament performance. The Austrian golfer managed to sink a hole-in-one on the challenging ninth hole during Round 2, marking the first ace of the 2024 U.S. Open. This remarkable shot came amidst a tumultuous round for Straka, who had struggled earlier with a triple-bogey on the third hole and subsequent bogeys on the fourth and sixth, leaving him 2 over par by the front nine.

Holes-in-one at the U.S. Open are rare and prestigious achievements, given the difficulty and strategic layout of the courses used in rotation for this major tournament. Pinehurst itself has witnessed only a select few aces in its U.S. Open history, with Straka joining an exclusive list of golfers who have accomplished this feat on its ninth hole.

Straka’s timely ace not only provided a dramatic moment in his round but also potentially revitalized his chances in the tournament. As the U.S. Open progresses, this standout achievement will likely be remembered as a turning point in Straka’s pursuit of success amidst the formidable challenges posed by Pinehurst Resort.

 

Sepp Straka hole-in-one

Sepp Straka’s hole-in-one at the U.S. Open, struck at the par 3, 186-yard No. 9 hole, marked a significant highlight in his tournament journey. It provided a refreshing turnaround for Straka after earlier challenges during his round. On the third hole, his approach shot clipped the flagstick but unfortunately deflected away, leading to a triple-bogey and a rocky start.

This ace by Straka added to the prestigious history of holes-in-one at the U.S. Open, becoming the 52nd such occurrence in the tournament’s storied history. At Pinehurst Resort, where this year’s U.S. Open is held, Straka’s ace joined a select club, previously graced only by Peter Jacobsen in 2005 and Zach Johnson in 2014, who also achieved aces on the same No. 9 hole. Pinehurst now stands alongside esteemed venues like Bethpage Black and Los Angeles Country Club, each boasting three aces in U.S. Open history.

The record for most aces at a U.S. Open course remains with Pebble Beach Golf Links, which has witnessed eight holes-in-one over the years. Following closely are Baltusrol Country Club with six, Oak Hill Country Club with five, and Winged Foot Golf Club with four.

Straka’s timely ace not only added to Pinehurst’s U.S. Open legacy but also underscored the unpredictability and drama that often unfolds at this prestigious championship, where even the best players are tested by the unforgiving courses and challenging conditions.