Defending Champ Fitzpatrick Makes History with Third Hole-in-One at US Open

Stone-faced Golfer Matt Fitzpatrick Celebrates First PGA Tour Career Ace at US Open

Matt Fitzpatrick, the defending champion of the US Open, made an unusual but muted reaction when he shot his first hole-in-one in the PGA Tour career and only the 51st in US Open history. However, it did not take him long before he realized what had just happened and made up for lost time.

The English golfer hit his first ace of the tournament during round two on Friday. It was also Los Angeles Country Club’s fifteenth hole that provided all three aces witnessed so far. France’s Matthieu Pavon and American Sam Burns celebrated their first-ever aces from this same tee on Thursday.

Fitzpatrick faced an even shorter hole than others after pin locations were changed for round two. He started with five consecutive pars before arriving at the adjusted 115-yard fifteenth hole where he expertly hit his third straight ace of the tournament despite changes in flag position.

But neither Fitzpatrick nor those around him saw it happen as they could not see behind a slope that concealed part of this crucial moment. The world No.8 only realized what had occurred when cheers from spectators erupted around him.

“I couldn’t see it,” said Fitzpatrick, “and then I heard some guys shout ‘It went in!’ And obviously then I sort of knew.”

The reigning champion roared with delight following confirmation before high-fiving playing partners Cameron Smith and Sam Bennett en route to collect his ball while beaming throughout.

Aiming to Defend His US Open Title

If Fitzpatrick manages to win the tournament again this year, he will become the first player since Brooks Koepka in 2018 to defend his title. He clinched his first major victory last year in Massachusetts and is hoping for a repeat performance at this year’s championship.

The Sheffield-born golfer edged out American duo Scottie Scheffler and Will Zalatoris by a single stroke following a pulsating three-way fight in the final round of last year’s championship. He then added his second PGA Tour title when he won RBC Heritage in April.

A Slow Start for Fitzpatrick

Unfortunately, despite hitting an ace on day two of this championship, Fitzpatrick’s opening score of one-over-71 left him nine shots adrift of record-breaking leading duo Rickie Fowler and Xander Schauffele. Furthermore, any joy from his hole-in-one was short-lived as he hit double bogey just two holes later at the par-four seventeenth which dropped him back down to even-par overall.