Rory McIlroy Picks Up First PGA Tour Ace in 233 Starts: How Fast Did Tiger Woods Get There? 

After struggling to find his form in the initial months of 2023, Rory McIlroy seems to have found his footing once again. The World No. 3 has recorded back-to-back top-10 finishes in his last four appearances, including a solo second-place finish at the recently concluded US Open.

McIlroy is now back in action for the PGA Tour’s Travelers Championship, which is currently underway at the TPC River Highlands. During the event’s first round, he managed to achieve a feat that has evaded him for years. To make things even better, this accomplishment comes just days after the Irishman missed out on his 5th major by a single stroke!

So, how did this historic moment come to be? How did McIlroy celebrate? And most importantly, when did fellow PGA Tour compatriot and legend Tiger Woods accomplish the same feat? Let’s dive in to find out more!

Rory McIlroy cards his first hole-in-one of his PGA Tour career

Since going pro in 2007, Rory McIlroy has seen unparalleled success as a golfer. He is one of the three players to have won four majors by the age of 25 and has spent an incredible 122 weeks as No. 1 on the Official World Golf Rankings. However, until Thursday, McIlroy had as yet to achieve one unique feat: a hole-in-one at an official PGA Tour event.

During the first round of the Travelers Championship, the golfer finally made an ace with his 5-iron swing on the 214-yard, par-3 eighth hole of the venue. After missing out on the moment in his first 232 starts on the PGA Tour, he had finally done it! Per the PGA Tour, this was also the golfer’s 3,253rd career par 3.

Once McIlroy ticked the much-elusive thing off his bucket list, he erupted in celebration, even high-fiving playing partners Tom Kim and Viktor Hovland. He eventually ended day 1 of the tournament with a 2-under 68 and is currently sitting at T46 on the leaderboard.

Also Read: “Charlie Woods Is the Early Favorite”- Breaking an 83-Year-Old Absence, LA Will Again Host Golf’s Monumental Major

While McIlroy had to wait several years for the hole-in-one to happen, his friend and 15-time major winner, Tiger Woods, did it at just 21 years of age! The amazing moment happened during the 1997 Phoenix Open.

Tiger Woods’ first hole-in-one of his PGA Tour career

By the time Tiger Woods made his tenth PGAT start in the 1997 Phoenix Open, he had already won three of his record-tying 82 victories. During the third round of the event, the 21-year-old Woods was standing on the tee box at the 16th hole of the TPC Scottsdale. Fans waited with bated breath to see how the young pro would handle the iconic 152-yard par three, also known as the loudest hole in golf.

By that time, the golfer was already out of contention for the title. After all, he had kicked off the round 10 strokes off the leader and eventual winner, Steve Jones. Regardless, the moment soon turned out to be one of the most memorable of his career. Woods used a 9-iron to card his first-ever ace on the PGA Tour and followed it up with his famous raise-the-roof celebration!

Omar Uresti, Woods’ playing partner from the event, recalled the moment two decades later. Uresti had hit an 8-iron that landed just 3 feet behind the hole. “As soon as it landed, I made the mistake of thinking to myself, ‘Let’s see you hit it closer than that,'” said the golfer.

Woods eventually finished the tournament at 9-under 275, tying for the 18th position.

Watch This Story: ‘Slip Up or Make a Mistake’: Rory McIlroy Reveals His Mindset During the Heartbreaking Match

What is your favorite hole-in-one moment in golf? What did you think of Rory McIlroy’s ace from the Travelers Championship? Tell us in the comments!