Australian golfer Cam Davis nearly defied the odds and etched his name in PGA Tour history, but fate had other plans. In a thrilling moment, Davis came tantalizingly close to a feat not seen in a quarter of a century.
A record-breaking opportunity: As the 2026 PGA Tour unfolds on FOX SPORTS, available on Kayo Sports, Davis stepped onto the WM Phoenix Open's 17th hole, a short par four. With a bold stroke, he aimed directly for the green with his driver, landing the ball on the front edge.
So close, yet so far: The ball's journey was nothing short of dramatic. It trickled tantalizingly close to the hole, leaving Davis with a mere four-foot putt for eagle. But here's the twist: had that tee shot been just a fraction more precise, it would have rolled into the hole, marking the first hole-in-one on a par four on the PGA Tour in 25 years!
History repeats itself: Interestingly, the last time this rare feat was achieved was on the very same hole in 2001 by American golfer Andrew Magee. It remains the only time a golfer has scored a '1' on a par four in the entire tour history.
The chase continues: Despite the near-miss, Davis advances to Rounds 3 and 4 of the Phoenix Open. However, with a score of -2, he trails leader Ryo Hisatsune by nine shots, requiring a remarkable comeback to claim victory.
Aussies in the mix: Min Woo Lee leads the Australian charge, carding an impressive -6 in the second round, just five shots off the lead. Meanwhile, World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler recovered from an uncharacteristic opening round to finish the weekend at -4.
The leaderboard heats up: Ryo Hisatsune holds a commanding lead at -11, followed closely by Hideki Matsuyama at -10. Chris Gotterup and Pierceson Coody are tied at -8, with Akshay Bhatia, Si Woo Kim, John Parry, Sahith Theegala, and Matt Fitzpatrick all at -7.
Controversial Course Design? Some might argue that the 17th hole's design, allowing for such a rare feat, is a double-edged sword. While it offers a unique challenge, it also raises questions about the balance between skill and luck. Is it a fair test of golfing prowess, or does it favor the bold and the lucky? And what does this mean for the future of course design?
As the PGA Tour continues to thrill fans worldwide, these questions linger, inviting passionate discussions among golf enthusiasts. Will we see more holes like the 17th, or will course designers opt for a more traditional approach? The debate is open, and your opinions matter!
