OAKMONT, Pa. – Patrick Reed achieved the fourth double eagle in the history of the U.S. Open since records began to be kept four decades ago.
The spectacular shot occurred on Thursday on the 4th hole, a par 5 at Oakmont, where Reed holed his second shot from 286 yards.
This “albatross”, considered one of the rarest shots in golf, is much less common than a hole-in-one. It is estimated that only a few hundred are achieved annually worldwide, compared to more than 30,000 holes-in-one.
Reed, visibly surprised, watched as his shot with the wood from the fairway bounced three times before heading towards the hole. Doubting whether the ball had gone in, he raised his palm towards the sky and then pointed it downwards, seeking confirmation.
The ovation on the green gave him the answer he needed.
The 2018 Masters champion joins T.C. Chen (1985 at Oakland Hills), Shaun Micheel (2010 at Pebble Beach) and Nick Watney (2012 at Olympic) as the only players to achieve an albatross at the U.S. Open since records began in 1983.
