John Parry hit the first hole-in-one at this year’s Open Championship with a spectacular shot on the 13th hole at Royal Portrush during the third round. The 38-year-old English golfer executed a 8-iron shot from the 192-yard hole, sending the ball onto the green, where it bounced twice before settling into the hole.
Parry’s achievement marks the 31st hole-in-one recorded at The Open since 1981 and adds to the tournament’s rich history of memorable moments. A similar feat was achieved by Emiliano Grillo on the same hole six years earlier, highlighting the significance of this specific hole in the championship’s legacy.
The celebration was immediate, with Parry removing his hat and hugging his playing partner, Justin Leonard, in recognition of the moment. He described the shot as ‘the best one, 100%,’ and acknowledged the difficulty of the shot, noting that he felt it would be close after hitting it.
Parry’s performance contributed to a tournament total of 3-under par after a four-under-par 67 on Saturday. He praised the atmosphere at the event, calling it ‘absolutely amazing,’ which underscored the positive experience of the day.
At the time of this writing, Scottie Scheffler leads the tournament at 12-under par, showcasing the competitive nature of the event. The Associated Press contributed to this report, and additional sports coverage can be found on Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on X and through the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.