Rory McIlroy achieved a momentous milestone by scoring his first-ever hole-in-one in an official PGA Tour event on Thursday at the Travelers Championship in Connecticut.
McIlroy has accomplished plenty since launching his professional golf career in 2007, including four major championships and 122 weeks at No. 1 in the Official World Golf Ranking.
But before Thursday, one particular feat eluded him: a hole-in-one at an official PGA Tour event.
That changed for the Northern Irishman when he aced the par-3 eighth hole during the first round of the Travelers Championship in Cromwell, Connecticut.
McIlroy stepped to the tee box of the 214-yard hole at TPC River Highlands with his 5-iron. His ball hit the meat of the green with one small hop and tracked straight toward the pin.
The 34-year-old threw both his hands in the air before high-fives with his caddie and playing partners Tom Kim of South Korea and Viktor Hovland of Norway.
According to the PGA Tour, McIlroy had played 3,253 par-3 holes over his tour career before the Thursday ace.
The shot helped McIlroy dig out from a 1-over start through seven holes and put him at 1 under. He closed the front nine with a birdie after blasting out of a fairway bunker to within 2 feet of the cup.


PSG retain Champions League title with shoot-out win over Arsenal
French Open champion Gauff knocked out by Potapova in third round
Sabalenka sees off Kasatkina to reach French Open fourth round
Parry stuns Anisimova to reach first Grand Slam fourth round at French Open
Osaka survives three-set scare against teenager Jovic