Sam Burns Makes Second Hole-In-One On Incredible First Day Of US Open Scoring

The American produced a moment of magic on the short par-3 15th at LACC

Sam Burns celebrating his hole-in-one during the first round of the 2023 US Open
(Image credit: Twitter (@usopengolf))

Who said the US Open was the toughest of the men's Majors? On a day of incredible scoring on Thursday at Los Angeles Country Club, Sam Burns made the second hole-in-one and first of his PGA Tour career.

It came on the short par-3 15th, his sixth of the day, as the American zipped a wedge a few feet past the hole on the 124-yarder and spun it back into the cup. The ace followed a birdie on the par-5 14th and took Burns to two-under for the round following an early bogey.

Earlier in the day, Matthieu Pavon made the first hole-in-one of the 123rd US Open, achieving the feat on the same hole and in remarkably similar style to Burns.

As ever, Justin Ray was on hand to provide some extra context to the action, tweeting that only twice previously have multiple aces been made on the same hole on the same day in the tournament's 128-year history. Remarkable.

It first happened in 1989 at Oak Hill at the sixth hole in round two, and then again during the first round of the 2020 US Open at Winged Foot at the par-3 sixth.

Burns' moment of magic was just the latest on a crazy day of low scoring at LACC, which is hosting its first Major. On the early evidence, the USGA, the notorious protectors of par, may not be back.

Not once but twice was the US Open low 18-hole scoring record broken. Rickie Fowler eclipsed Johnny Miller's 63 in 1973 first courtesy of an eight-under 62, only to be joined on that mark some 20 minutes later by Xander Schauffele, who had a 25-footer on the last for a 61. 

Andrew Wright
Freelance News Writer

A lifelong golf fan, Andy graduated in 2019 with a degree in Sports Journalism and got his first role in the industry as the Instruction Editor for National Club Golfer. From there, he decided to go freelance and now covers a variety of topics for Golf Monthly. 

Andy took up the game at the age of seven and even harboured ambitions of a career in the professional ranks for a spell. That didn’t pan out, but he still enjoys his weekend golf at Royal Troon and holds a scratch handicap. As a side note, he's made five holes-in-one and could quite possibly be Retief Goosen’s biggest fan.

As well as the above, some of Andy's work has featured on websites such as goal.com, dailyrecord.co.uk, and theopen.com.

What's in Andy's bag?

Driver: Callaway Mavrik Sub-Zero (9°)

3-wood: TaylorMade Stealth 2 Plus (15°)

Driving iron: Titleist U500 (17°)

Irons: Mizuno mp32 (4-PW)

Wedges: Titleist Vokey SM9 (50°, 54° and 58°)

Putter: Titleist Scotty Cameron Newport 2.5

Ball: TaylorMade TP5x