Sam Ryder picked the perfect hole for an ace at Saturday’s Phoenix Open, creating quite the scene in the process.
Ryder hit a hole-in-one at TPC Scottsdale in Saturday’s round, a memorable moment in itself. Even better, he did it on the 16th, which happens to be the most famous spectator hole in golf. Nicknamed “The Coliseum,” the 16th hole is fully surrounded by grandstands populated by rowdy fans, and golf etiquette goes out the window there during tournaments. Golfers who miss the green are routinely booed, while those who make it get huge cheers.
So what’s the response to an ace? An enormous roar from the crowd and a shower of beer cans.
SAM RYDER! ACE ON 16!
WHAT A MOMENT. pic.twitter.com/bY3oSFM4nx
— Golf on CBS ⛳ (@GolfonCBS) February 12, 2022
The round was actually briefly delayed due to the sheer number of beer cans that had to be cleaned off the course.
Not sure where “beer can delay” is covered in the rules of golf.
Sam Ryder got ‘em going with the ace at @WMPhoenixOpen! pic.twitter.com/DzdpLnpdwm— Joe Trahan (@JoeTrahan) February 12, 2022
Golf viewers were definitely divided on whether the scene was enjoyable or embarrassing, but it certainly was memorable. If anything, the raucous scene will probably draw attention from non-golf fans that otherwise wouldn’t have noticed this sort of thing.
The ace salvaged what had been a pretty rough day for Ryder, and allowed him to finish even for the round. While he is seven shots back, he is still 6-under for the tournament.
