Shane Lowry Makes Masters History with Second Hole-in-One at Augusta National
Irish golfer Shane Lowry became the first player in history to record two career holes-in-one at Augusta National during the third round of the 2026 Masters, sinking a 7-iron from 190 yards on the par-3 sixth hole — a stunning ace that propelled him to 9-under par and placed him just two shots behind co-leaders Rory McIlroy and Cameron Young heading into Sunday's final round.
The shot, the 35th hole-in-one in Masters history and the first at the tournament since 2022, earned Lowry a crystal bowl — the traditional prize for a Masters ace — and prompted the County Offaly man to quip, with characteristic understatement: "Maybe I'm just good." It was a moment of pure joy in a week that would ultimately end in disappointment, as Lowry carded an 8-over-par 80 in the final round to finish tied for 30th at 1-under par.
Background
Shane Lowry, 39, is one of the most beloved figures in Irish golf. Born in Clara, County Offaly, he turned professional in 2009 and announced himself to the world with a famous amateur victory at the 2009 Irish Open. His career reached its zenith at the 2019 Open Championship at Royal Portrush in Northern Ireland, where he won his first major title in front of a rapturous home crowd — one of the most emotionally charged moments in the history of the sport on this island.
Lowry's first hole-in-one at Augusta National came a decade before his 2026 achievement. During the final round of the 2016 Masters, he aced the par-3 16th hole using an 8-iron from 181 yards. With his 2026 achievement on the sixth hole, he became the first player in the tournament's history to record two career aces at Augusta — a distinction that places him in the company of the game's most celebrated names in the annals of Masters lore.
The 2026 Masters was shaping up to be a compelling contest. Rory McIlroy, the world number one and defending champion, was seeking to become only the fourth player in history to win back-to-back green jackets, joining Jack Nicklaus, Nick Faldo, and Tiger Woods. Cameron Young, the American who had pushed McIlroy hard in 2025, was again in contention. Lowry's third-round 68, capped by his historic ace, made it a three-way Irish-American showdown at the top of the leaderboard.
Key Developments
The hole-in-one on the sixth hole moved Lowry from 6-under to 8-under par in an instant, temporarily placing him in a tie for second place. He finished the third round at 9-under, two shots behind co-leaders McIlroy and Young at 11-under. The Augusta galleries, always appreciative of a spectacular shot, gave Lowry a thunderous reception as the ball disappeared into the cup.
Sunday's final round told a different story. Lowry, unable to recapture the magic of Saturday, struggled to a closing 80 that dropped him to a tie for 30th. McIlroy, by contrast, held his nerve to win his second consecutive Masters and sixth major championship, finishing at 12-under par, one shot clear of Scottie Scheffler. Cameron Young finished tied for third alongside Tyrrell Hatton, Russell Henley, and Justin Rose at 10-under.
The conclusion of the tournament highlighted the close friendship between Lowry and McIlroy. Lowry sent his fellow Irishman a text after the round explaining he was "so happy for you, but I don't have it in me tonight" — too deflated by his own final-round collapse to join the celebrations. McIlroy later revealed he had been monitoring Lowry's score during the final round, stating he had hoped that if he did not win, Lowry would be the one to claim the green jacket.
Why It Matters
Lowry's historic double ace at Augusta is more than a statistical curiosity — it is a testament to the extraordinary consistency required to compete at the highest level of the game over many years. Augusta National's par-3 holes are among the most demanding in major championship golf, and recording a hole-in-one there once is a career highlight for any professional. Doing it twice, on different holes, in different decades, is a feat that may never be repeated. The 2026 Masters also confirmed McIlroy's status as the dominant force in world golf, his back-to-back green jackets cementing a legacy that places him alongside the sport's all-time greats. For Irish golf, the week was a reminder of the extraordinary depth of talent the island has produced — two of the world's best players, both in contention at Augusta, both carrying the hopes of millions of fans on both sides of the border.
Local Impact
For Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, the 2026 Masters was a source of immense pride. McIlroy's victory — his second consecutive Masters title — was celebrated across the island, with particular joy in his native Holywood, County Down. Lowry's historic hole-in-one, and his gracious response to a difficult final round, reinforced his reputation as one of the most popular figures in Irish sport. The Open Championship at Royal Portrush in 2019 — where Lowry won in front of a home crowd — remains the defining moment of his career, but his Augusta record now adds another chapter to a story that resonates deeply with golf fans across Ireland and beyond.
What's Next
The PGA Tour season continues with the US Open and The Open Championship still to come. Lowry, despite his final-round disappointment at Augusta, remains a contender at every major he enters. McIlroy, now a six-time major champion with back-to-back Masters titles, will be the overwhelming favourite wherever he tees it up for the remainder of the season. For Lowry, the crystal bowl from his historic second Augusta ace will take pride of place alongside the one he earned in 2016 — a tangible reminder of a moment that will be replayed on Augusta highlight reels for generations.
Full coverage of Lowry's historic ace is available via the PGA Tour's official report and AP News.
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