Ricardo Santos celebrated securing a first ever hole-in-one of his career on day two of the Volvo China Open.
Portugal’s leading player holed out at the par three eighth hole that he was playing as his 17th.
Ricardo Santos scores his first ever hole-in-one in Volvo China Open. (Photo - Jenny Matthews/www.golffile.ie)
“It is the first hole in one in my career as I have never had one either as an amateur or professional,” he said.
“Today was a difficult day with a lot of wind and it was very cold. I started my round a little consistent but my game started to get better near the end of my round.
“I got to my 17th or the eighth hole of the course and hit a 9-iron 135 yards and I was very pleased to see the ball go in the hole.”
Unfortunately for the popular Portugese golfer there was no prize on offer and only the honour on the next tee.
And what was also disappointing is that the feat was not officially mentioned by either the European or OneAsia Tour who are running the event,
But that didn’t both Santos who now joins former World No. 1 Martin Kaymer who earlier this year had his first hole in one during the Omega Dubai Desert Classic.
The 29-year old Santos had led the secondary Challenge Tour for much of last year courtesy of six top-10s in the first half of the year before finishing fourth to easily achieve his European Tour card.
Along with his ace Santos had seven birdies in his round and ended with a four under par 68 to be well in contention on six under par.
A check of his scorecard shows he finished his round – birdie, birdie, birdie, ace and bogey.
In eight events this year in his rookie Race to Dubai season Santos has already earned more than the Euro 49,378 he pocketed in 22 prior main tour appearances before gaining full membership.
Santos is attached to the Oceanico Victoria Club at Villamoura and venue each year for the Portugal Masters.
His wife, Rita is the Marketing Manager for the seven Oceanico courses in and around Villamoura.
England’s Gary Boyd and Jean-Baptiste Gonnet from France shot a pair of five-under-par 67s on Friday to share the lead after two rounds at the Binhai Lake Golf Club in Tianjin.
They go into the weekend at 11 under par, a shot ahead of South African Branden Grace and two in front of defending champion Nicolas Colsaerts, from Belgium, who both also recorded 67s.
