Stefani stunned by final round hole-in-one

Shawn Stefani aced the 17th hole in the final round of the US Open on Sunday – the first time that has happened in five tournament visits to Merion Golf Club.

The American was way down the field after an 85 yesterday and went out among the early starters.

He missed the green badly with his tee shot at the tough 213-yard par three but watched on transfixed as the ball bounced sideways and made a beeline for the hole.

That helped Stefani come in with a 69 and pocket some more prize money.

It was the 43rd hole-in-one in US Open history, the first coming in 1907 and follows John Peterson’s ace at the 13th at San Francisco’s Olympic Club last year.

It was just the second hole-in-one that Stefani has bagged, the first coming when he was 13 years old on his hometown course at Baytown, Texas.

“I didn’t know what to do but jump up and down for joy,” he said of his ace.

“I was actually trying to hit the left side of the green and cut it. And then I kind of pulled it. I pulled it about five yards.

“And the wind was kind of down off the left and it really didn’t help at all. It didn’t move it to the right.

“And honestly I think I’ve seen a bunch of balls this week kind of not kick to the right and I was really surprised to see the ball kick to the right.

“And then once it did kick, it kept rolling and I was like, well this could be good. And the fans stood up and then it kept getting closer and closer and then when it went in, I was just super excited because it’s the first hole in one I’ve ever had in a tournament.”