Defending Champion Matt Fitzpatrick Makes Third Hole-In-One Of 2023 US Open
The Englishman became the third player to ace the par-3 15th during the 2023 US Open
![Matt Fitzpatrick of England reacts to his shot from the 15th tee resulting in a hole in one during the second round of the 123rd U.S. Open Championship at The Los Angeles Country Club](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/KrHcMjFZfpJjcdGjdcH7bk-415-80.jpg)
We're not even at the halfway stage of the 2023 US Open and Los Angeles Country Club has already coughed up three holes-in-one. Mattieu Pavon made the first on day one and was followed in by Sam Burns in similar fashion, with Matt Fitzpatrick now getting in on the action.
The defending champion laboured to a one-over 71 on Thursday at LACC on an incredible day of scoring that saw Rickie Fowler and Xander Schauffele equal the lowest round in Major championship history, but got back under par after acing the short par-3 15th.
The Englishman was level for his round when he hit the shot of the day so far on the 115-yard hole that can be set up to play even shorter given the size of the tee and shape of the green.
Ahead of the tournament, Fitzpatrick spoke of the unique challenge it can pose but he certainly made it look easy on Friday in Hollywood as he landed the first hole-in-one of his PGA Tour career and 51st in US Open history. He will be hoping that kickstarts his defence of the title he won in such thrilling fashion last year at The Country Club.
Fitzpatrick trailed by nine coming into day two and will need to find a few more birdies to vault himself back into contention over the weekend. More shots like that will certainly help. Check it out below:
Watch: Matt Fitzpatrick's hole-in-one
🚨 DEFENDING CHAMPION ACE ALERT 🚨@MattFitz94 joins the #USOpen hole-in-one party! pic.twitter.com/x6q3nll62CJune 16, 2023
In making a hole-in-one this year to go with his win last year, Fitzpatrick joins illustrious company. According to stats guru Justin Ray, Gary Player is the only other non-American player before him to achieve that rare double in the tournament's 128-year history.
Get the Golf Monthly Newsletter
Subscribe to the Golf Monthly newsletter to stay up to date with all the latest tour news, equipment news, reviews, head-to-heads and buyer’s guides from our team of experienced experts.
A lifelong golf fan, Andy graduated in 2019 with a degree in Sports Journalism and got his first role in the industry as the Instruction Editor for National Club Golfer. From there, he decided to go freelance and now covers a variety of topics for Golf Monthly.
Andy took up the game at the age of seven and even harboured ambitions of a career in the professional ranks for a spell. That didn’t pan out, but he still enjoys his weekend golf at Royal Troon and holds a scratch handicap. As a side note, he's made five holes-in-one and could quite possibly be Retief Goosen’s biggest fan.
As well as the above, some of Andy's work has featured on websites such as goal.com, dailyrecord.co.uk, and theopen.com.
What's in Andy's bag?
Driver: Callaway Mavrik Sub-Zero (9°)
3-wood: TaylorMade Stealth 2 Plus (15°)
Driving iron: Titleist U500 (17°)
Irons: Mizuno mp32 (4-PW)
Wedges: Titleist Vokey SM9 (50°, 54° and 58°)
Putter: Titleist Scotty Cameron Newport 2.5
Ball: TaylorMade TP5x
-
Which LIV Golfers Played In The Tokyo 2020 Olympics
The men’s field of 60 featured 14 players who would later sign for LIV Golf – here are the details on who they are and how they performed
By Mike Hall Published
-
The 5 LIV Golfers In Contention For The $18m Individual Title
With tournaments running out, there are still a handful of players in contention for the $18m individual title - here are the details
By Mike Hall Published
-
How Much Money Has Xander Schauffele's Caddie Austin Kaiser Earned In 2024?
Austin Kaiser has likely earned a significant amount of money this season as a result of Schauffele's double-Major-winning campaign
By Jonny Leighfield Published
-
Keegan Bradley 'Knowing Tour Trends' Could Help Team USA Fulfil Potential At 2025 Ryder Cup: Xander Schauffele
The World No.3 admitted he was initially "surprised" at Bradley's appointment but believes the relatively-low age of Team USA's new captain could actually prove to be a huge positive
By Jonny Leighfield Published
-
‘We Have A Thing Called The PIP And It's Important To Participate In Things Like YouTube' - Xander Schauffele On Bob Does Sports And Good Good Appearances
The PGA Championship winner revealed that content creation is not top of his list of favorite activities but admits that sometimes it's a case of 'needs must'
By Jonny Leighfield Published
-
'We Need A Leader' - Xander Schauffele Takes Latest Shot At PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan
In an interview with The Times, Schauffele expressed his view that the PGA Tour is without "a strong leader right now"
By Jonny Leighfield Published
-
9 Takeaways Now We're Two Majors Down In The Men's Game
What are some of the biggest talking points now that we're halfway through the men's Major season?
By Elliott Heath Published
-
WATCH: How Team Schauffele Celebrated Xander’s Record-Breaking PGA Championship Win
The new World No.2 enjoyed landing his first Major title at Valhalla by partying alongside friends and family at their accommodation later on Sunday
By Jonny Leighfield Published
-
'Stay In My Lane' - Xander Schauffele Not Making Any Special Plans As He Looks To Break Major Duck At Valhalla
The 30-year-old is in the final group at Valhalla on Sunday alongside two-time Major winner, Collin Morikawa
By Jonny Leighfield Published
-
Rory McIlroy Blowout Victory Disproves Theory About PGA Tour Golf Ahead Of PGA Championship
The World No.2's fourth Wells Fargo Championship victory was hardly a nail-biter, but that didn't stop fans watching on in their droves at home
By Jonny Leighfield Published