Kim Si-woo made British Open history on Saturday with a 238-yard hole-in-one on the par-3 17th hole at Royal Troon Golf Club.
The South Korean’s ace became the longest hole-in-one in British Open history, beating the 212-yard ace set by Frank Lickliter II at Royal Lytham & St. Annes in 2001.
“I’ve had six hole-in-ones so far, but this one is the most memorable,” Kim told reporters after the round.
Kim shot 71 on Saturday to finish the tournament 5-over par and tied for 40th heading into Sunday.
“My caddie said, ‘You’d better hit it hard with the 3-iron,’ so I did just that and hit the ball well, and I saw it go over the fringe. [and thought] “It’s probably within 20 feet,” he said.
“And everyone was screaming at me because they didn’t realize the ball had gone in. It was amazing. I’ve had so many holes-in-one in my life, probably more than 10, but I think this is my most memorable one because it was at a major, the British Open and I had been struggling for the first nine holes.
“My shots have been terrible the last few days. I double-putted on Thursday and three-putted again yesterday. I finally got a hole-in-one so I’m happy now.”
Kim will tee off well behind the favorites on Sunday.
Billy Horschel shot a 2-under 69 on Saturday and is in sole possession of first place at 4-under.
Six golfers are within three under par at the tournament, including PGA Championship winner Xander Schauffele.
Scottie Scheffler, the favorite heading into the weekend, is in sole eighth place at two under par.
