Big-hitting Scott Hend was soaring when the 43-year-old Aussie holed out from 213 metres on the par-5 17th in the Shenzhen International.

It was Hend’s sixth albatross of his career and when combined with an eagle at the ninth and three birdies, Hend posted a 65 for the joint low-round of the week to move into a share of fourth place on eight-under-par, five shots behind leader Lee Soomin.

“I hit a nice 5-wood and heard a clap up at the green,” said Hend.

Scott Hend soaring with an albatross at the Shenzhen International.

Scott Hend soaring with an albatross at the Shenzhen International.

“I turned to TC [Tony Carolan, Hend’s caddie] and said wouldn’t it be funny if it went in. A cameraman came up and said it was a two – it was very surprising.”

Hend, who won the True Thailand Classic in March of this year to add to his UBS Hong Kong Open victory in 2014, added: “It’s awesome. When you have a hole-in-one it’s great, but an albatross really gives you more of an edge. I three-putted the par-3 the hole before so I was lucky to get it back – and more.

“I’ve been fortunate enough to make six of them. When you hit the ball longer than average you give yourself a few chances over the many number of years I’ve been playing.”

Hend’s albatross was only the second so far on the European Tour this season after England’s Lee Slattery made an albatross on the eighth hole during the second round of the Hero Indian Open in March.