Dale Whitnell makes two holes-in-one in same round at South African Open

Dale Whitnell made two holes-in-one in a round that started with him worrying about just making the cut at the South African Open
FILE - Britain's Dale Whitnell holds the trophy after winning the PGA European Tour, Scandinavian Mixed, at Ullna golf course outside Stockholm, Sweden, Sunday June 11, 2023, file. (Anders Wiklund/TT via AP, file)

Credit: AP

Credit: AP

FILE - Britain's Dale Whitnell holds the trophy after winning the PGA European Tour, Scandinavian Mixed, at Ullna golf course outside Stockholm, Sweden, Sunday June 11, 2023, file. (Anders Wiklund/TT via AP, file)

DURBAN, South Africa (AP) — 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 an 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.

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