The 67 Million-to-1 Shot: The Most Unbelievable

The 67 Million-to-1 Shot: The Most Unbelievable "Hole-in-One Hole-in-One" Stories In Golf History

The 67 Million-to-1 Shot: The Most Unbelievable

The "hole-in-one hole-in-one" is not a typo; it is golf's most elusive, mind-bending, and statistically impossible achievement: sinking two aces in a single 18-hole round. As of the current date, December 15, 2025, the golf world continues to be stunned by the rare players who defy the astronomical odds of 67 million to 1, turning a legendary feat into a mythological one. This article dives deep into the statistics, the science, and the unbelievable stories of the golfers—from seasoned PGA professionals to teenage amateurs—who have pulled off this double-ace miracle. The singular hole-in-one is a moment of pure joy, a career highlight for most golfers. But to replicate that perfect strike, that flawless trajectory, and that glorious sound of the ball hitting the bottom of the cup *twice* in a few hours is a level of lightning-in-a-bottle luck and skill that few human beings will ever experience. It is the ultimate expression of golf's unpredictable magic.

The Astronomical Odds: Why a Double Ace is Golf's Unicorn

The probability of hitting a single hole-in-one for an average amateur golfer is around 12,500 to 1. For a professional golfer, the odds improve significantly to approximately 3,000 to 1, reflecting their superior consistency, club speed, and course management.

The 67 Million-to-1 Challenge

When you attempt to calculate the probability of hitting two aces in one round, the numbers explode into the stratosphere. According to the National Hole-In-One Registry, the accepted odds of achieving two holes-in-one in a single 18-hole round are a staggering 67 million to 1.

To put that into perspective, you have a better chance of:

  • Winning the Powerball jackpot (approx. 1 in 292 million, but you're only buying one ticket).
  • Being struck by lightning twice in your lifetime (estimated between 1 in 9 million and 1 in 15 million).
  • Finding a four-leaf clover on your first attempt (about 1 in 10,000).

The fact that this feat has been documented multiple times across the world suggests that sometimes, the human element—a perfect swing combined with a perfect day—can momentarily suspend statistical reality.

Recent Legends of the Double Ace: 2024 and Beyond

While the double ace is rare, the most compelling and recent stories highlight that this phenomenon is not confined to the history books. These are the modern golfers who have achieved the "hole-in-one hole-in-one" distinction.

Frank Bensel Jr.'s Back-to-Back Miracle (2024)

One of the most recent and arguably the most spectacular examples of the double ace occurred in June 2024. Frank Bensel Jr., a 56-year-old professional, accomplished the unthinkable during the U.S. Senior Open.

  • Event: U.S. Senior Open.
  • Feat: Bensel Jr. hit back-to-back holes-in-one.
  • Impact: A consecutive ace is even rarer than two in one round, a feat so improbable it leaves statisticians speechless.
  • The Holes: Details of the specific holes are often overshadowed by the sheer impossibility of the consecutive aces, but the event instantly cemented his place in golf folklore.

This incredible performance at a major championship level underscores that even under the immense pressure of a USGA event, the impossible can happen.

Dale Whitnell: The DP World Tour Double

Another prominent professional example comes from the DP World Tour (formerly the European Tour). Dale Whitnell, an English professional, added his name to the exclusive list with his stunning performance.

  • Event: Investec SA Open Championship (Durban).
  • Feat: Two holes-in-one in the same round.
  • The Holes: He aced both the 2nd hole and the 12th hole during the second round of the tournament.
  • Significance: Achieving this on a professional tour, where course conditions are rigorous and pressure is high, is a testament to extraordinary precision.

Ryan Koehn: The Teenage Phenom

The double ace is not just reserved for tour professionals. In a heartwarming story that proves luck favors the bold, 13-year-old golfer Ryan Koehn from Kansas achieved the feat.

  • Golfer: Ryan Koehn (age 13).
  • Feat: Two holes-in-one in a single round.
  • Quote: Koehn described the experience as "still so surreal," a common sentiment among those who defy the 67 million-to-1 odds.

This story serves as a reminder that the great equalizer in golf is the perfect shot, which can be struck by anyone, regardless of age or experience.

The Rarest of the Rare: Consecutive Aces and Same-Hole Duplicates

Beyond the double ace in one round, there are even more improbable variations of the "hole-in-one hole-in-one" concept. These feats are so rare they often fall outside the standard 67 million-to-1 calculation.

The Back-to-Back Ace

As Frank Bensel Jr. demonstrated in 2024, hitting consecutive aces—on the 1st and 2nd par-3s you play, for instance—is the pinnacle of improbability. The odds of this happening are exponentially higher than two aces separated by several holes. The Guinness World Records notes that there have been at least 20 cases of aces being achieved on two consecutive holes globally.

The first player to achieve back-to-back holes-in-one in any PGA-sanctioned tournament was a moment of golf history that continues to be discussed in hushed tones.

Acing the Same Hole Twice

Another statistical anomaly is acing the same hole twice in the same round. College golfer Neil Phillips achieved this astounding feat at the Chick-fil-A Invitational.

  • Golfer: Neil Phillips.
  • Feat: Aced the same hole twice in one round.
  • How: This usually occurs in a tournament format where a player plays the same hole twice due to a unique course setup, or perhaps in a non-traditional format.

The mental fortitude required to step up to the same tee box and replicate a perfect shot is arguably more challenging than hitting two different par-3s.

Topical Authority: Who Has the Most Holes-in-One?

While the double ace is about a single, miraculous round, some golfers have accumulated an incredible number of aces over their careers, demonstrating a sustained level of precision that makes them perpetual threats on any par-3.

On the PGA Tour, the record for the most career holes-in-one is currently held by two legends:

  • Robert Allenby: 10 Career Holes-in-One.
  • Hal Sutton: 10 Career Holes-in-One.

These players, along with others like Arnold Palmer—who once aced the same hole on consecutive days—are the masters of the par-3, proving that while luck plays a part, consistent skill is the foundation of the ace.

The Science of the Perfect Ace

What factors converge to create a "hole-in-one hole-in-one"? It is a perfect storm of physics and psychology. The key entities involved are:
  • Launch Angle: The optimal angle to maximize carry distance and control the descent.
  • Spin Rate: Backspin is crucial for the ball to land softly, check up, and roll towards the pin, rather than bounding over the green.
  • Wind and Weather: A slight tailwind or crosswind can be the difference between a near-miss and a perfect drop.
  • Course Conditions: The firmness of the green and the cut of the grass dictate how the ball reacts upon landing.
  • Club Selection: Choosing the right iron (e.g., 7-iron, 8-iron, or wedge) for the specific yardage is paramount.
  • Mental State: The golfer must be in a state of flow, completely focused and unburdened by pressure.

When a golfer hits two aces in one round, they have managed to align all these variables perfectly, not once, but twice, defying the 67 million-to-1 odds and etching their names into golf's rarest record book. The "hole-in-one hole-in-one" remains the sport's greatest statistical marvel, a moment of pure, unadulterated golfing genius.

The 67 Million-to-1 Shot: The Most Unbelievable
The 67 Million-to-1 Shot: The Most Unbelievable

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