Viktor Hovland’s hole-in-one on the 5th hole at Marco Simone Golf and Country Club during the 2023 Ryder Cup was a truly remarkable shot. However, it was not quite the historic achievement that it initially seemed.
The 5th hole at Marco Simone is a par 4, but it is only 304 yards long. This makes it one of the shortest par 4s on the PGA Tour, and it is often played as a drive-and-pitch hole.
Hovland’s tee shot on the 5th hole landed on the green and rolled directly into the hole. While this was an incredible shot, it is important to note that it was not a true “albatross,” which is a hole-in-one on a par 5.
Despite this technicality, Hovland’s hole-in-one was still a very impressive feat. It was the first hole-in-one in Ryder Cup history since 2010, and it helped Europe to tie the United States 3-3 after the first day of competition.
Hovland’s shot was also a testament to his incredible skill and talent. He is one of the most exciting young players on the PGA Tour, and he is sure to achieve many more great things in his career.
While Hovland’s hole-in-one was not a true albatross, it was still a very impressive shot. It is also worth noting that there is no official definition of an albatross. Some people believe that an albatross must be on a par 5, while others believe that it can be on any hole that is more than 300 yards long. Ultimately, whether or not Hovland’s hole-in-one is considered an albatross is a matter of opinion. However, there is no doubt that it was a truly remarkable shot.