'Par Of The Century' - DP World Tour Player Makes Miraculous Par Save

After striking a tree with his second shot, Angel Hidalgo made one of the most outrageous pars you will ever see at Valderrama

Golfer hits a tee shot
(Image credit: Getty Images)

Valderrama is known as one of the most notoriously difficult golf courses in the world, with its tight fairways, unforgiving trees and lightning quick undulating greens making it a course where you can rack up a number fast!

On Saturday at the Andalucía Masters, that appeared to be the case for home favorite Angel Hidalgo, when his pulled drive at the ninth hole came to rest near one of the many trees that line the golf course. What happened next caused Sky Sports commentators to blare out the "par of the century". Check out the video below.

After his tee shot was pulled left of the fairway, Hidalgo was forced to play an aggressive shot that required a large hook from a deep and buried lie. The chances of it coming off were slim and, after making impact, that proved to be the case, as it struck a tree and catapulted some 45 yards behind him.

You could say that he was fortunate to find some shorter grass, but that was swamped by the fact he had to hit yet another hook, with an under and over shot through the trees also required to get anywhere near the green.

Taking his club back, he miraculously didn't hit any more branches or trees, with his golf ball finishing pin high, just off the green and right of the flag. It was an incredible shot and one that left him around 15-feet for his par.

Hidalgo hits a tee shot with driver

Hidalgo's best finish came at the Joburg Open, where he finished T5

(Image credit: Getty Images)

As he struck his putt, it didn't seem to be going anywhere else but in the center of the hole, as it rolled in for a par and a "par of the century" line from one of the Sky Sports commentators. 

Following his par, the 24-year-old carded two birdies and two bogeys on his back nine, as a one-under third round put him six shots back of fellow countryman Adrian Otaegui, who sits at an incredible 16-under-par!

Matt Cradock
Staff Writer

Matt joined Golf Monthly in February 2021 covering weekend news, before also transitioning to equipment and testing. After freelancing for Golf Monthly and The PGA for 18 months, he was offered a full-time position at the company in October 2022 and continues to cover weekend news and social media, as well as help look after Golf Monthly’s many buyers’ guides and equipment reviews.


Taking up the game when he was just seven years of age, Matt made it into his county squad just a year later and continues to play the game at a high standard, with a handicap of around 2-4. To date, his best round came in 2016, where he shot a six-under-par 66 having been seven-under through nine holes. He currently plays at Witney Lakes in Oxfordshire and his favourite player is Rory McIlroy, despite nearly being struck by his second shot at the 17th during the 2015 BMW PGA Championship.


Matt’s current What’s In The Bag?

Driver: Honma TW747, 8.75°

Fairway Wood: TaylorMade Rocketballz Stage 2, 15°, 19°

Hybrid: Adams Super Hybrid, 22°

Irons: Mizuno MP54, 5-PW

Wedges: Cleveland 588 RTX 2.0 Tour Satin, 50°, 56°, 60°

Putter: Cleveland TFI 2135 Satin Cero

Ball: Titleist Pro V1x