Rory McIlroy kicked off his 2024 PGA Tour campaign with a bang, jarring an ace during Thursday’s opening round at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am.
Playing Spyglass Hill’s back nine, McIlroy’s perfect wedge shot at the 119-yard 15th hole took one hop and disappeared into the cup. It’s the kind of start he was looking for in his first Tour appearance since last September’s Tour Championship.
“Honestly, it was lucky,” McIlroy said. “I don’t see many balls nowadays go straight in the hole and stay in the hole. Pretty fortunate because it could have come out and went back in the water or do anything.”
Name
Events
Top 10
Money
Rory McIlroy
257
125
$90,989,348
The ace vaulted McIlroy to 3-under par at the time, and he kept the momentum rolling. He finished with a 6-under 66, putting him right in the mix just two shots behind leader Russell Henley. He’s tied with fellow Irishman Shane Lowry, setting up what could be an interesting battle heading into Friday.
McIlroy’s looking sharp after a solid showing at the Hero Dubai Desert Classic a few weeks ago, where he tied for fourth. This week marks his first start in the Tour’s second signature event of 2024, and that hole-in-one suggests he’s brought his A-game to Pebble.
It’s worth noting this isn’t McIlroy’s first PGA Tour ace – his last one came at the Travelers Championship less than two years ago. But there’s something special about making one at Spyglass Hill, one of golf’s most iconic venues.
