In a stunning display of skill and precision, China’s Yan Liu joined an exclusive club of golfers on Friday, April 25, 2025, during the second round of the LPGA Tour’s Chevron Championship held at The Club at Carlton Woods. Liu executed a remarkable albatross on the par-5 eighth hole, a feat so rare in the sport that it has become a coveted achievement among professional golfers.
After making two bogeys in her first seven holes, Liu faced a 505-yard challenge on the eighth. With her drive leaving her 175 yards to the flag, she opted for a 7-iron and struck the ball perfectly, sending it directly into the cup for a score of 2. This incredible shot propelled her to the top of the leaderboard, and she maintained that position by finishing her round with a birdie on the last hole, ultimately shooting a 72 and finishing the day at seven under par.
Reflecting on her remarkable albatross, Liu expressed her disbelief, saying, "It's pretty crazy." She also noted that she had previously achieved the same feat on the last hole of an Epson Tour event, again using a 7-iron. Currently ranked 195th in the world, Liu is on the quest for her first LPGA victory since joining the tour in 2023.
Albatrosses, or double eagles, are exceptionally rare in professional golf. In fact, only two were recorded on the LPGA Tour last season, with Gina Kim and Nanna Koerstz Madsen each scoring one. By comparison, 29 holes-in-one were made by LPGA players in 2024, highlighting just how difficult an albatross is to achieve. According to The Double Eagle Club, which tracks such accomplishments, only 30 albatrosses have been scored on the LPGA Tour between 1971 and 2023. This statistic underscores Liu's achievement, as the odds of a tour player making a double eagle are estimated at 72,000 to 1.
Meanwhile, Lexi Thompson, another prominent figure in women’s golf, demonstrated her enduring talent with a stellar 5-under 67 on the same day, putting her in contention as the tournament progresses. Despite announcing her retirement from full-time LPGA competition at the end of 2024, Thompson showcased her skills with six birdies, bringing her total to 4-under for the tournament.
Thompson, now 30 years old, began her professional career at the young age of 19, winning the Kraft Nabisco Championship, now known as the Chevron, in 2014. After a challenging start to the week, Thompson expressed her determination to remain competitive, stating, "I’m the same person. When I’m at home, I’m still practicing and training. I love working out. I’m still striving to be better for when I do tee it up because every time I tee it up, I still want to win."
Thompson's ability to navigate the course effectively was evident as she took advantage of her length off the tee, birdieing two of the four par 5s. “You still have to hit it straight out here,” she noted, emphasizing the importance of patience and strategy on the challenging Nicklaus Signature Course.
As the Chevron Championship unfolds, players are not only competing for the title but also managing the additional challenge posed by the Memorial Hermann Ironman triathlon, which begins on Saturday, April 26, 2025, at 6:25 a.m. This event will affect traffic around The Woodlands, impacting major roads including Woodlands Parkway, Grogan’s Mill Road, and Lake Woodlands Drive, among others.
In other notable performances, Grace Kim made headlines by holing out from the fairway for an eagle-2 on the front nine, using an 8-iron from 138 yards. She completed her round at 2 under, putting her at even par for the tournament and safely inside the cut line.
The Chevron Championship is shaping up to be an exciting event, with Liu and Thompson showing that they still have what it takes to compete at the highest level. As the tournament progresses, fans can expect more thrilling moments and exceptional performances from these talented athletes.
With Liu’s albatross and Thompson’s impressive round, the stage is set for an exciting weekend of golf at The Club at Carlton Woods. As players continue to navigate the course and contend with the pressures of the LPGA Tour, all eyes will be on the leaderboard as they vie for the prestigious title.
