That's just ace! Rory McIlroy claims first PGA Tour hole-in-one at Travelers Championship

Rory McIlroy picked up his first ace on the PGA Tour, but America’s Denny McCarthy took the opening round lead with a blistering 60 at the Travelers Championship in Connecticut.

The Northern Irishman’s hole-in-one on the 214-yard eighth was the clear highlight on a mixed session for the US Open runner-up, who finished two-under-par on a day of low scores. It was McIlroy’s first ace in competition since he made one in Abu Dhabi on the European tour in 2015.

Rory McIlroy picked up a hole-in-one on the 214-yard eighth at the first round of the Travelers Championship golf tournament at TPC River Highlands, Connecticutplaceholder image
Rory McIlroy picked up a hole-in-one on the 214-yard eighth at the first round of the Travelers Championship golf tournament at TPC River Highlands, Connecticut

Meanwhile, McCarthy shot the lowest round of his career after setting a blistering early pace with four straight birdies to open his tournament. He added five more without dropping a shot en route to a score of 10-under-par. He leads by two from compatriot Keegan Bradley and Australian veteran Adam Scott. Ireland’s Shane Lowry is four shots back after carding a bogey-free round of 64.

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