Several golfers have been victims of the dreaded 17th hole in the open championship this week, but not Australian pro Travis Smyth.
Smyth, who competes in the asian tour, he did what no one has yet achieved at Royal Liverpool this year and on a hole that has given most golfers a run for their money.
He got over it.
Australian Travis Smyth celebrates his hole in one on the 17th day of the second day of the 151st British Open Golf Championship at Royal Liverpool Golf Course in Hoylake, north-west England, July 21, 2023. The 151st Open at Royal Liverpool Golf Course is scheduled to last until July 23. (BEN STANSALL/AFP via Getty Images)
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The new par 3 has been problematic on the first and second rounds due to the unevenness and bunkers that surround the 136-yard hole.
Hitting a high tee shot with a 9-iron, Smyth’s ball bounced twice before going in as the crowd roared in amazement.
It was the first hole-in-one at Hoylake this week.
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Travis Smyth of Australia looks on during day two of the 151st Open at the Royal Liverpool Golf Club on July 21, 2023 in Hoylake, England. (Ross Kinnaird/Getty Images)
«It was unbelievable,» Smyth said, via ESPN. «Bittersweet, actually. I had a scare the day before, hit a double bogey, and I was very happy that I hit a good shot, because I was very disappointed from the day before. Yeah, a big surprise that went into the hole.»
«It was the perfect distance, the perfect wind and the club. It all came together and it was a moment I’ll never forget.»
The difficulty of the hole made Smyth’s hole-in-one even more incredible.
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Australia’s Travis Smyth celebrates after making a hole-in-one on day 17 of the second day of the 151st British Open Golf Championship at Royal Liverpool Golf Course in Hoylake, north-west England, July 21, 2023. The 151st Open at Royal Liverpool Golf Course is scheduled to last until July 23. (BEN STANSALL/AFP via Getty Images)
Golfers who miss the small green are essentially in the danger zone.
«This time, they made a really tough turtle shell par 3. If you take a good shot, you put it on the green, you have a clear view of the birdie. If you miss the green, you have a clear view of the bogey,» said Jon Rahm.
«I understand that you go for that in a championship on Sunday, you have a one shot advantage, that hole can be fundamental.»
Finishing day 1 over 72 and 8 over the tournament, Smyth will likely miss the cut.
Associated Press contributed to this report.