Luck of the Irish: McIlroy and Lowry’s Stunning Aces at Pebble Beach

The Guinness will surely be flowing after Irish golf stars Rory McIlroy and Shane Lowry each made stunning holes-in-one during the first round of the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am. In a rare and unforgettable display of skill—and perhaps a touch of Irish luck—the two aces helped propel them into contention at one of the PGA Tour’s most iconic events.

McIlroy’s Slam-Dunk at Spyglass Hill

Playing his first PGA Tour event since September, McIlroy wasted no time making an impact. On the 109-meter par-3 15th at Spyglass Hill, his tee shot found the hole in spectacular fashion, slamming directly into the cup.

"It’s sort of weird, you're looking at it and you're watching where it might land on the green, and then the thing just disappears," McIlroy said after the round.

This was the second career ace on tour for the four-time major champion, who previously made one during the opening round of the 2023 Travelers Championship.

"Honestly, it was lucky. I don't see many balls nowadays go straight in the hole and stay in the hole," he admitted. "Pretty fortunate because it could have come out and gone back in the water or done anything."

Lowry’s Magic on Pebble Beach’s Iconic 7th

A few hours later, Shane Lowry added his own piece of history. The Irishman aced the famous par-3 7th at Pebble Beach, a hole widely regarded as one of the most iconic in golf.

"It came out lovely, just left of the hole … big bounce, it was perfect," Lowry said. "It just spun and spun right into the hole. It was pretty cool."

This marked Lowry’s third career ace on the PGA Tour—and perhaps his most impressive yet. His previous two came at legendary par-3s: the 16th at Augusta National during the Masters and the island green 17th at TPC Sawgrass during The Players Championship.

"I guess it's just luck of the Irish or something," he joked. "I know I'm pretty good at times, but you know, a bit of luck every now and then is helpful, too."

Following his round, Lowry posed with his scorecard and the Srixon ball he used for the ace, a moment captured by PGA Tour photographers.

Historic Feat Propels Both Into Contention

Both McIlroy and Lowry capitalized on their magical moments, shooting matching 6-under 66s to sit in a seven-way tie for eighth place, just two shots off the lead.

The tournament, a longtime fixture on the PGA Tour, is now a signature event with a limited field. It was the first time since 2009 that multiple aces were recorded in a single round at Pebble Beach, making this an even more historic day for the event.

The opening two rounds are played across Spyglass Hill and Pebble Beach before the weekend rounds are held exclusively at Pebble Beach. With the Irish duo already making headlines, the rest of the tournament promises to be just as thrilling.

Whether it was skill, luck, or a mix of both, one thing is certain: McIlroy and Lowry have given golf fans a round to remember—and perhaps a reason to raise a pint in celebration.