Shane Lowry Cards First Ace of 90th Masters, First Since 2022 – PGA Tour
The 90th Masters witnessed a historic moment on Saturday as Shane Lowry delivered a stunning hole-in-one, marking the first ace of the tournament and the first seen at Augusta National since 2022. This remarkable feat not only electrified the gallery during the third round but also etched Lowry’s name into the record books as the first player in the history of the Masters to card two career holes-in-one.
Lowry’s precision on the par-3 sixth hole provided a massive momentum shift during “Moving Day,” propelling the Irishman to 8-under for the tournament and moving him into a tie for second place. In a weekend defined by high stakes and historic performances, Lowry’s ability to execute under pressure has placed him in a prime position heading into the final round, even as Rory McIlroy continues to distance himself at the top of the leaderboard.
The Shot Heard Around Augusta: Analyzing the No. 6 Ace
The drama unfolded on Saturday during the third round of the 90th Masters. Facing a challenging 190-yard shot on the sixth hole, Shane Lowry struck a ball that tracked perfectly toward the cup, disappearing for an ace that stopped the crowd in its tracks. The shot was not just a highlight of the round; it was a statistical anomaly that ended a multi-year drought for the tournament.
This specific hole-in-one is the 35th ace recorded in the history of the Masters. Its significance is amplified by the fact that Augusta National had not seen a hole-in-one since the second round of the 2022 tournament, when Stewart Cink accomplished the feat on the 16th hole. The rarity of the ace at Augusta National speaks to the precision required to navigate the course’s meticulously maintained greens and challenging wind conditions.
Key Details of the 2026 Ace
- Location: No. 6 (Par-3)
- Distance: 190 yards
- Round: Third Round (Saturday)
- Tournament Milestone: First ace of the 90th Masters; first since 2022
- Score Impact: Moved Lowry to 8-under, tying for second place
A Historic Milestone: The First Player with Two Masters Aces
While a single hole-in-one is a career highlight for most professionals, Shane Lowry has now achieved something never before accomplished at Augusta National. By carding an ace on the sixth hole this Saturday, Lowry became the first player to record two career holes-in-one at the Masters.
Lowry’s first experience with a Masters ace came a decade earlier. During the final round of the 2016 tournament, he found the bottom of the cup on the par-3 16th hole. That shot was executed using an 8-iron from a distance of 181 yards. The contrast between the two shots—one on the iconic 16th and the other on the 6th—demonstrates Lowry’s versatility and consistency across different layouts and pressures.
To understand the magnitude of this achievement, the prestige of the Masters and the difficulty of the par-3s at Augusta National. Achieving this feat once is a rarity; doing it twice is unprecedented. As a reward for his historic achievement, Lowry was earned a crystal bowl, a traditional token of recognition for those who find the hole in one at the legendary course.
| Masters Ace | Year | Hole | Distance/Club | Round |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| First | 2016 | No. 16 | 181 yards (8-iron) | Final Round |
| Second | 2026 | No. 6 | 190 yards | Third Round |
The “Ace Collector”: Lowry’s Remarkable PGA Tour Record
The hole-in-one at the 90th Masters is not an isolated incident of luck, but rather part of a broader pattern of exceptional iron play. This shot marks the fifth hole-in-one of Shane Lowry’s PGA Tour career and his second ace of the current season.
Lowry has a penchant for finding the cup on some of the most famous and difficult par-3s in the world. His collection of aces spans multiple high-profile events, proving his ability to perform on the game’s biggest stages. Earlier this season, Lowry carded an ace during the final round of the Texas Children’s Houston Open, where he nailed a 170-yard shot on the par-3 second hole at Memorial Park Golf Course.
Beyond the Masters and the Houston Open, Lowry has conquered two of the most iconic par-3s in professional golf:
- TPC Sawgrass: In 2022, during THE PLAYERS Championship, Lowry aced the legendary island green on No. 17.
- Pebble Beach: In 2024, he recorded a hole-in-one on No. 7 during the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am.
Shane Lowry’s career trajectory is now defined by a unique ability to execute the most difficult shot in golf across a variety of the world’s most challenging venues.
Tournament Context: The 90th Masters Leaderboard
While Lowry’s ace captured the headlines, the broader narrative of the 90th Masters is one of dominant play and historic leads. The ace moved Lowry to 8-under for the week, placing him in a tie for second. This puts him within striking distance of the lead, though the gap remains significant.
Rory McIlroy has surged ahead, setting a new Masters record with a six-shot lead following a “birdie binge” that has separated him from the rest of the field. Despite McIlroy’s commanding position, Lowry’s climb into second place ensures that the final round will be a battle of nerves and precision.
Current Tournament Standing (Post-Round 3)
- Leader: Rory McIlroy (Holds a record six-shot lead)
- Tied for Second: Shane Lowry (8-under)
- Key Momentum: Lowry’s ace on No. 6 shifted his trajectory on Saturday
Understanding the Rarity of the Masters Ace
For the casual observer, a hole-in-one may seem like a frequent occurrence in professional golf, but at Augusta National, It’s an event of extreme rarity. The fact that the tournament went from 2022 to 2026 without a single ace highlights the difficulty of the course’s design and the precision required to navigate the greens.
The 35 total aces in Masters history, spread across 90 years of competition, average out to roughly one ace every 2.5 years. Lowry’s achievement of two such shots—and the fact that he is the first to ever do so—places him in a category of his own. This is not merely a stroke of luck, but a testament to his ball-striking capabilities, especially considering the distances involved (181 yards in 2016 and 190 yards in 2026).
For more on the technical aspects of the game, you may find a related explainer on par-3 strategies useful in understanding how professionals approach these high-risk holes.
Common Misconceptions Regarding Aces at Augusta
Many believe that hole-in-ones are more common on shorter par-3s. However, Lowry’s Masters aces occurred from 181 and 190 yards, respectively. This indicates that the “ace factor” at Augusta is less about the distance and more about the ability to control the flight and spin of the ball to hold a green that is often sloping or guarded by treacherous bunkers.
The Psychological Impact of “Moving Day”
In golf, Saturday is known as “Moving Day,” where players attempt to develop a significant jump up the leaderboard to put themselves in contention for Sunday. Lowry’s ace on the sixth hole served as the ultimate catalyst for this movement.
The emotional surge following a hole-in-one can often lead to a “letdown” or a loss of focus. However, Lowry managed to leverage the momentum of the shot to secure a tie for second place. This mental resilience is critical when facing a leader like Rory McIlroy, who is playing at a historic level. The ability to remain composed after such an explosive event is what separates championship contenders from the rest of the field.
Summary of Lowry’s Current Season Ace Performance
- Texas Children’s Houston Open: Hole-in-one on the 170-yard, par-3 second hole.
- 90th Masters: Hole-in-one on the 190-yard, par-3 sixth hole.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the first player to have two holes-in-one at the Masters?
Shane Lowry is the first player in Masters history to record two career holes-in-one at Augusta National. He achieved this with an ace on the 16th hole in 2016 and another on the 6th hole during the 2026 tournament.
When was the last hole-in-one recorded at the Masters before 2026?
Prior to Shane Lowry’s ace in 2026, the last hole-in-one at the Masters was made by Stewart Cink on the 16th hole during the second round of the 2022 tournament.
How many total career PGA Tour holes-in-one does Shane Lowry have?
Shane Lowry has a total of five PGA Tour career holes-in-one. These include two at the Masters, one at THE PLAYERS Championship (No. 17), one at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am (No. 7), and one at the Texas Children’s Houston Open (No. 2).
What is Shane Lowry’s current position in the 90th Masters?
Following his hole-in-one on Saturday, Shane Lowry moved to 8-under for the tournament, placing him in a tie for second place.
What was the distance of Shane Lowry’s ace on the 6th hole?
The hole-in-one on the par-3 sixth hole was hit from 190 yards out.
As the 90th Masters moves into its final round, the focus remains on whether Rory McIlroy can maintain his record-breaking lead or if Shane Lowry can utilize the historic momentum of his second Augusta ace to mount a late-stage challenge for the Green Jacket. With Lowry now tied for second and playing with immense confidence, the final day promises to be a captivating conclusion to a tournament already defined by record-breaking feats.
