US Senior Open star makes hole-in-one two holes in a row to seal place in history
Frank Bensel Jr made history at the US Senior Open.
Frank Bensel Jr has etched his name into golfing history after the 56-year-old achieved not one, but two holes-in-one in consecutive holes during the second round of the US Senior Open.
Bensel Jr accomplished this feat in the early stages of round two, first scoring a hole-in-one at the 184-yard par-three fourth, before adding another ace from 203 yards at the par-three fifth. Bensel – who is the long-standing head professional at Century Country Club – had experienced a challenging start to his week in round one.
The seasoned American golfer began his week at Newport Country Club in Rhode Island with a five-over-par 75, making six bogeys on Thursday with just a single birdie at the par-four 12th.
It appeared as if his week was set to continue in the same vein in round two, playing his opening three holes in one-over due to a bogey at the second hole. However, his tournament took a turn for the better at the first of the par-threes at the fourth, after he added a hole-in-one to his scorecard.
Incredibly, he replicated his heroics a hole later with a hole-out from the fifth tee. The extraordinary achievement was confirmed by the USGA on social media shortly afterwards, who shared a clip of a modest Bensel Jr heading over to the hole following his second ace to retrieve his lucky ball.
The American is the first player to make back-to-back aces in professional competition since Englishman John Hudson in 1971, who achieved the same feat in the European Tour’s Martini International at Royal Norwich.
Bensel Jr is rubbing shoulders with some of golf’s biggest names this week, including past major winners Darren Clarke, Bernhard Langer, Padraig Harrington, and Jim Furyk. Also in the field are two players from the LIV Golf circuit.
Former world No. 1 Lee Westwood is making his debut in a senior major after turning 50 last year.
He is joined by fellow breakaway league star Richard Bland, who recently won his Senior PGA Championship at Harbor Shores Golf Club.