DURBAN, South Africa — Dale Whitnell made two holes-in-one in the same round at the South African Open on Friday, having entered the day worrying about just making the cut at the European tour event.
The 36-year-old Englishman aced the par-3 second and 12th holes at the Durban Country Club in a wild 9-under 63 second round that included another eagle, seven birdies, two bogeys and one double bogey.
“I was struggling to make the cut, so I knew I needed to go out and play well and got off to a hot start as they would say,” said Whitnell, ranked No. 545.
“Birdied the first and then hit a flush 7-iron on the second and didn’t realize it went in until down the bottom they sort of cheered,” he added. “That was lovely.”
Whitnell then eagled the par-5 third and would have to wait a whopping nine holes for his second ace.
“I’ve never had one in tournament play. To have two in one day is pretty special,” he said, a day after shooting a level-par 72 in the opening round.