Frank Bensel, Jr. made back-to-back holes-in-one on Friday at the U.S. Senior Open, acing the 184-yard, par-3 fourth and the 203-yard, par-3 fifth at Newport Country Club.
It’s believed to be the first such accomplishment in USGA championship history. According to the National Hole-in-One Registry, the odds of carding two aces in the same round are 67 million to 1. It does not provide odds for consecutive holes.
“So the first one was great, so that got me under par for the day. And then the second one, I just couldn’t believe it. To even think that that could happen was amazing,” Bensel said after his round.
“Hit the ball kind of in the right place (on No. 5), and then it just started rolling. I was kidding around, and I was like, OK, now let’s go for another one, and it happened to go in. Everybody just couldn’t believe it. We all went nuts.”
Bensel said he has several family members with him this week including his 14-year-old son, Hagen, on his bag. Following the historic accomplishment, the 56-year-old was hoping to make the cut but then made four consecutive bogeys — and three more on the back nine — to shoot a wild 4-over 74. Following his opening 75, Bensel was well outside the projected cut line.
“It was like an out-of-body experience,” Bensel said of his 13th and 14th career aces. “I was more excited than I wanted to be.”
No video was initially shown of either shot but the USGA followed up with a post showing Bensel picking the ball out of one of the holes on a very windy day in Rhode Island.
What are the odds of two holes-in-one in a row!? 😱 pic.twitter.com/mNiPhDRKv8
— USGA (@USGA) June 28, 2024
Bensel is the long-time club professional at Century Country Club in Purchase, New York, and a former pro at Winged Foot. He also teaches at Mirasol Country Club in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida.
He made his first U.S. Senior Open this year through qualifying, having previously competed in two Senior PGAs and three PGA Championships.