Shane Lowry made Masters history on Saturday by recording his second career hole-in-one at Augusta National, acing the sixth hole. This remarkable achievement places him among the tournament's elite and boosts his contention for the green jacket, while also highlighting discussions about the course's conditions.
Lowry's Historic Ace at Augusta
Shane Lowry produced one of the standout moments of the 2026 Masters on Saturday, acing the par-three sixth hole during the third round at Augusta National. The Irishman's seven-iron shot hit the green, took a couple of bounces, and curled into the left side of the cup, sparking wild celebrations from spectators and fellow players. Lowry embraced his caddie and playing partner Tommy Fleetwood in a joyous moment, later teasing the crowd with a mock throw before pocketing the souvenir ball.
Tournament Standing and Historical Significance
The ace moved Lowry to eight-under for the tournament, tying him for second place—four shots behind overnight leader Rory McIlroy. Lowry is now the first player in Masters history to record two holes-in-one, having also aced the par-three 16th hole in 2016. His latest achievement is the 35th hole-in-one in tournament history and the seventh at the sixth hole.
Lowry's shot was so impressive that playing partner Tommy Fleetwood embraced him, while American golfer Harris English paused to pretend to bow down to Lowry on the nearby 16th green. The moment also catapulted Lowry into contention for the green jacket, as he now sits just four shots behind McIlroy, who saw his lead shrink early in the third round.
Lowry's Major Championship Pedigree
Lowry, 39, is seeking his second career major, having won the Open Championship in 2019 at Royal Portrush. His latest ace follows another at the 17th at Sawgrass in 2022 and the short seventh at Pebble Beach in January 2025. For his achievement, Lowry will receive a large crystal bowl from Augusta National.
Course Conditions Controversy
Meanwhile, the Masters has faced criticism from golfers over course conditions. Lowry suggested before the tournament that the lack of rain could make it one of the toughest Masters in years, but the greens ended up being slower than expected. World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler and others complained about the inconsistent speed of the greens, with some players struggling to adjust during their rounds.