A stunning albatross sent veteran South African Shaun Norris surging to a two-shot lead heading the final round of the 2026 Nexo Championship near Aberdeen in Scotland.
Norris, 44, posted the lowest round of the week and matching the tournament course record at the testing Trump International Golf Links on Saturday, signing for a bogey and four birdies alongside his remarkable achievement at the par-five fourth in his six-under 66.
The 15-time Tour winner capped his round at the par-five fourth hole where he drilled his tee shot 248 yards leaving him 267 yards to the green. Norris chose a 3-wood and urged his ball to “go” as it found the green and rolled into the cup.
Norris seemed in disbelief as playing partner England’s Matthew Southgate came over to congratulate his playing partner.
“I could not have hit it any better”
Shaun Norris reacts to his 261-yard albatross #NexoChampionship pic.twitter.com/ikjUUN16xM
— DP World Tour (@DPWorldTour) August 22, 2026
“I’m very pleased with the way I played, I hit the ball nicely today and gave myself good chances,” Norris said. “A bit of fortune with an albatross on four, so pretty pleased with it.
“He’s (Kyle Norris, caddie) not been important just over the last couple of days, but over the last 10-12 years. We have a good bond.
“He knows my game better than anybody else. I think we are in a good position, go out there tomorrow, have some fun and try give myself some chances of birdies and see what happens.”
Norris revealed it was his fifth albatross of his career, adding: “It’s just one of those holes, you’ve got to place yourself in the fairway and give yourself a chance of going for the green.
ALBATROSS SENDS GOLFER SOARING IN SCOTLAND …
As 15-time pro winning Shaun Norris @CallawayGolfEU @CallawayTour brilliantly holes 267-yard albatross & take 2 shot lead into final round #NexoChampionship
“I was sort of borderline with a 3-wood there & my caddy brother… pic.twitter.com/2XHFn7HiHn
— Fatiha (@TOURMISS) August 22, 2026
“And once it pitched on the green, he’s like ‘go in’ and I’m like ‘nah, whatever’ and the next minute it goes in, so I’m happy.”
At nine under, Norris is two clear of a second Englishman in Matthew Jordan, who overcame a slow start to card five birdies in his 67 to be at seven under.
Scot Scott Jamieson signed for a score of 69 to be tied third at five-under.
