Not much went right for Thomas Pieters in China this past weekend. Aside from the Belgian’s second round of 8-under par 64, the University of Illinois product fired rounds of 75-74-74 come in tied for 18th in the first World Golf Championship of the new PGA Tour season.
However, on Sunday at the HSBC Champions, Pieters hit a shot worth getting excited over, except he didn’t; his playing partner Emiliano Grillo did.
Pieters shot 5-over par 41 on the front nine, which included a triple bogey, three other bogeys and a lone birdie. Clearly none too pleased with his effort, his approach to the par-3 12th was right at the stick the entire way. When it disappeared, Pieters slapped a few hands and went back to his bag.
Grillo was much more excited, jumping into Pieters’ arms for a hug.
The ace helped Pieters shoot a back nine of 3-under par 33 to salvage what could have been a pretty bad day. Instead, a top-20 at the event paid Pieters over $100,000.
