Shane Lowry made history at the Masters by becoming the first golfer to record two career holes-in-one at this prestigious tournament. During the third round at Augusta National, Lowry hit a stunning 7-iron from 190 yards on the sixth hole, mirroring his previous ace at the 16th in 2016. Celebrating similarly to his 2016 reaction, he expressed disbelief at this remarkable feat, remarking, “You don’t ever expect to make a hole-in-one.”
This incredible shot added to his recent hole-in-one in the Houston Open, showcasing his remarkable skill across renowned golf venues, including iconic holes at TPC Sawgrass and Pebble Beach. Lowry’s accomplishment at the Masters also marked the first hole-in-one since Stewart Cink’s in 2022 and just the seventh on the challenging sixth hole, the last being made by Corey Conners in 2021. Players who achieve this milestone during the Masters are rewarded with a crystal bowl.
After completing his round at -9, Lowry stood in fourth position, trailing leaders Rory McIlroy and Cameron Young, who both sat at -11. McIlroy faced a challenging day, struggling to maintain his position after starting with a six-shot lead but ultimately managing a round of 73. Meanwhile, Young delivered an impressive 65, putting him in contention.
Jason Day from Australia also climbed the leaderboard with a solid round of 68, placing him in a tie for fifth at -8. As the tournament progressed, Day shared his perspective as a chaser, feeling less pressure compared to those at the top. He noted, “Guys at the top of the leaderboard always are trying to defend the lead, whereas I’m pushing forward trying to cut into the lead.”
As the final round approached, the competition intensified with multiple players still in contention for the coveted green jacket. Among them, world number one Scottie Scheffler made a significant move, shooting a remarkable 65 to close the gap to just four strokes behind the leaders.
With the Masters’ dynamic changing rapidly, excitement built around the final round, as contenders looked to seize their opportunities. Day remained optimistic about his chances, planning to target the lead on the back nine to put himself in a position to challenge for victory. “If you can get somewhere close to the lead on the back side, anything can happen,” he remarked, looking forward to the thrilling competition ahead.