The 2025 AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am kicked off with thrilling drama as Rory McIlroy and Shane Lowry each scored hole-in-ones during the opening round, lighting up the iconic courses of Pebble Beach and Spyglass Hill.
McIlroy, returning to the PGA Tour for the first time since September, made headlines early on by acing the par-3 15th at Spyglass Hill. This impressive feat came just six holes after he started his day, where he used a wedge for what became his second career hole-in-one on the Tour. The 35-year-old Northern Irishman hit the ball perfectly from 119 yards, taking advantage of the downhill nature of the hole, which played shorter at 112 yards. Fans captured the exhilarating moment when McIlroy’s ball crashed directly onto the flag before dropping straight down, eliciting cheers from his group. “How about this? It’s in the hole! Unbelievable!” exclaimed the commentator during the broadcast.
Celebration followed as McIlroy high-fived his caddie, Harry Diamond, along with his playing partners, including Ryder Cup teammate Ludvig Aberg and amateurs Jeff Rhodes and Jimmy Dunne. McIlroy, who carded a six-under 66 for the round, expressed gratitude post-round, acknowledging the fortunate nature of the ace, commenting, “Honestly, it was lucky, I don’t see many balls nowadays go straight in the hole and stay there.” This hole-in-one added to McIlroy’s confidence as he sat just two shots behind the tournament leader, Russell Henley.
Hours later, fellow Irishman Lowry made his own mark on the tournament with his ace at Pebble Beach’s renowned par-3 seventh hole. Known for its breathtaking views and challenging layout, the seventh is celebrated among both amateurs and professionals alike. Lowry’s wedge shot from 113 yards landed strategically short of the pin, rolling perfectly to find the hole. He celebrated the joy of the moment with enthusiastic hugs from his playing partners, radiantly exclaiming, “Life complete!”
Sharing his thoughts on his hole-in-one, Lowry humorously noted, “It came out lovely just left of the hole, which is where you need to pitch it if you want to get it really close. Yeah, big bounce, it was perfect. It just spun and spun right in!” Having already made aces at prestigious holes over the course of his career, including the 17th at TPC Sawgrass and the 16th at Augusta National, Lowry’s skills on challenging par-3s are evident. He even joked about splitting dinner costs with McIlroy, emphasizing the camaraderie they share.
The two aces marked the first time multiple players achieved hole-in-ones during round one of the Pebble Beach Pro-Am since 2009. Both McIlroy and Lowry finished the opening round at six-under 66, tying for eighth place, having shyly moved up the leaderboard just behind Henley, who opened strong at 8-under 64.
Despite the excitement around their holes-in-one, both players remained humble about their performances. Lowry commented, “I guess it’s just luck of the Irish or something. I know I’m pretty good at times, but you know, a bit of luck every now and then is helpful, too.” Meanwhile, McIlroy acknowledged the uncertainty of his shot as it sailed through the air, balancing excitement with the guesswork of where it might land.
The 2025 AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am boasts one of the most stacked fields seen this season, with 45 of the top 50 players from the World Golf Rankings. Among them are golf heavyweights such as Scottie Scheffler, Viktor Hovland, and Collin Morikawa, who are all vying for the coveted winner’s purse of $3.6 million from the total $20 million prize pool. This year marks another thrilling edition of the tournament with its blend of professionals and celebrity amateurs, drawing significant attention from golf fans worldwide.
Overall, the opening day of the event set the tone for what promises to be an exhilarating tournament, as both McIlroy and Lowry emerged as standout players, and their hole-in-ones will surely be remembered as one of the highlights. With the tournament continuing over the weekend exclusively at Pebble Beach, spectators are eager to see how the competition will evolve, and whether more unforgettable moments will grace the links.