A hole-in-one is always cause for celebration — but Shane Lowry’s celebration is going to be even more special.
After hitting an ace on the sixth hole at Augusta National during the third round of the 2026 Masters on Saturday, April 11, Lowry became the first golfer ever to hit two holes-in-one on that iconic course, according to golf reporter Justin Ray.
Back in 2016, Lowry hit an ace during that year’s Masters Tournament on the 16th hole.
Ten years later, he made another coveted — and rare — hole-in-one on the same course.
Lowry’s shot was the seventh hole-in-one at the sixth hole at Augusta National.
The ace put Lowry tied for second place on the scoreboard, three shots behind leader Rory McIlroy.
After the first two rounds of the tournament, McIlroy held a record six-shot lead.
“I’ve always felt like this golf course can let you get on runs if you allow it,” McIlroy told reporters after the second round on Friday. “I knew I had some chances coming in when I was standing on the 12th tee, but I didn’t think I’d birdie six of the last seven. But it just shows what you can do around here.”
Shane Lowry plays his shot from the fourth tee during the third round of the 2026 Masters Tournament Hector Vivas/Getty Images
He continued, “I’ve certainly had times where I’ve felt in the zone or in that flow state or whatever you want to call it. Yeah, maybe this afternoon was one of those times. … I definitely find a sense of flow in those last few holes. The only way I can describe it is everything you see or any situation you come across, you can find a positive in it.”
The reigning Masters champion teed off for the third round Saturday afternoon. The tournament runs until Sunday, April 12.
McIlroy began his tournament paired with 18-year-old Mason Howell — the U.S. Amateur champion — and left him with some advice after Howell missed the cut on day two of the tournament.
“Hopefully he saw that you don’t have to be perfect to shoot good scores,” McIlroy said to reporters on Friday. “I think when I was 18 and I started to play tour events, I thought that pros just didn’t make mistakes, and he saw plenty of mistakes out of me over the first two days.”
He continued, “Again, I fell back on my short game and my wedge play. So hopefully he saw someone that wasn’t perfect but was very efficient with how he scored, and I think to be successful at the professional level, that’s a big part of it.”
McIlroy continues to hold his lead through Saturday afternoon, but Lowry’s hole-in-one is undoubtedly the highlight of the day… so far.
Golfers who hit a hole-in-one during the Masters are awarded a crystal bowl. This one can go right next to Lowry’s inaugural bowl on the mantle.
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