The albatross is one of golf’s all-time rarest feats. Whether it’s a two on a par-5 or an ace on a par-4, it usually happens in fairly spectacular fashion. In an instant, you can get yourself right back into contention in your weekend game, or in a pro’s case, into the tournament. At a minimum, you have a memory that lasts a lifetime.
Here’s our list of 1o of the most unbelievable professional albatrosses we’ve seen.
Jason Gore
We get this albatross list started with Jason Gore’s magnificent second-shot approach at Torrey Pines’ par-5 18th during the 2016 Farmers Insurance Open. He hit a “big, high fade” as Faldo called it and landed it perfectly on the putting surface. After a big bounce, it settled down, started tracking, and rolled in like a putt for the unlikely albatross.
Lasse Jensen
This rare bird comes from Lasse Jensen during the European Tour’s Nedbank Golf Challenge contested at the Gary Player CG. He played a beautiful second shot that just flew the bunker giving it a chance to get back to that incredibly tucked pin. Some may say it was a fortunate hop, but at the end of the day an albatross is still an albatross.
Ha Na Jang
Ha Na Jang made LPGA history with this albatross ace on a par-4 during the Pure Silk Bahamas Classic. Yes, we would’ve reacted the same way. According to the LPGA, Jang is the first player in its history to make a hole-in-one on a par-4.
Rafael Echenique
Rafael Echenique pured this 3-iron approach from 243 yards at the BMW International Open in Munich. It hit softly and rolled in like a putt. In fact, the European Tour awarded this two as its “2009 Shot of the Year.”
Kenny Perry
This two is courtesy of Kenny Perry at the 2016 PGA Championship. From 227-yards, he flushed a five iron and landed it in the exact right spot. It took the break perfectly and found the bottom of the cup. Good thing he stepped off it the first time!
Scott Hend
Scott Hend jarred this one from 233-yards out during the European Tour’s 2016 Shenzhen International. The funny thing is that he didn’t know it until he was told by a cameraman. Turns out this was his sixth (!) albatross in his life. That’s why he plays golf for a living and we don’t.
Graeme McDowell
The 2010 U.S. Open champion knocked in this two at 17th hole at Valderrama back in 2007. After making solid contact, his ball hit the upslope of the bank in front of the green cutting down its speed and allowing it to track in like a putt. No wonder he calls this hole one of his favorites in golf.
Adam Scott
This six-iron Adam Scott hit from 199 yards during the 2011 Australian Open never left the flagstick. Judging by the quick pan and zoom, even the cameraman looked like he wasn’t convinced of how perfect this shot was. Now that’ a good looking albatross.
Louis Oosthuizen
Oosty gave us this rare gem during the final round of the 2012 Masters. On the 15th hole, he brought back shades of Sarazen with his own “shot heard round the world.” It was a 253-yard 4-iron that pitched off the front of the green and tracked all the way back to the hole for the deuce.
Richard Green
We aren’t exactly sure how this happened, but for Australian Tour pro, Richard Green, he’ll take it. His tee shot looked like it had beach written all over it, but then it somehow managed to pop out of the sand and make a b-line straight for the cup. It crashed into the pin and dropped for one of the more unlikely albatrosses in recent memory.
