Frank Bensel Jr has wrote his name into the golfing history books, after the 56-year-old made not one, but two holes-in-one in consecutive holes during the second round of the US Senior Open on Friday.
Bensel Jr completed the feat in the early stages of round two, first holing out at the 184-yard par-three fourth, before adding ace No. 2 a hole later from 203 yards at the par-three fifth. Bensel - who is the long-time head professional at Century Country Club - had endured a tough start to his week in round one.
The American veteran kicked off his week at Newport Country Club in Rhode Island with a five-over-par 75, making six bogeys on Thursday with just the one birdie at the par-four 12th.
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And it seemed as if his week was going to follow the same pattern in round two, playing his opening three holes in one-over thanks to a bogey at the second hole. His tournament soon kicked into action at the first of the par-threes at the fourth though, after adding a hole-in-one to his scorecard.
Remarkably though he recreated his heroics a hole later with a hole-out from the fifth tee. The remarkable feat was confirmed by the USGA on social media shortly after, who shared a clip of a modest Bensel Jr heading over to the hole following his second ace to collect his lucky ball.
Among the best golfers in the world, a hole-in-one is often a regular occurrence in professional events, especially at a major championship. Two in one round however - which were of course back-to-back - made Bensel Jr's scorecard all the more special in a two-hole stretch to remember in Newport.
Bensel Jr is competing alongside some of the biggest names in golf, with past major champions such as Darren Clarke, Bernhard Langer, Padraig Harrington, Jim Furyk in the field. Elsewhere there are also two members from the LIV Golf circuit in the field this week.
The first being former world No. 1 Lee Westwood, who is making his first ever senior major appearance having turned 50 last year. He is also joined by fellow breakaway league star Richard Bland, who is fresh off his Senior PGA Championship at Harbor Shores Golf Club last month.
Bland impressed his first ever senior major appearance, seeing off two Australian rivals in Richard Green and Greg Chalmers to be crowned champion by three shots last month. Bland kicked off his week in Newport with a solid two-under 68, to leave him five shots off the early leaders through 18 holes.
Westwood meanwhile went two shots better, enjoying an impressive start to life as a senior major player. The former PGA Tour star carded a well-earned four-under 66 on day one thanks to an eagle and four birdies alongside two bogeys. He sits three shots back of the leading pack heading into his second 18 holes.
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