Kid Knocks Out Two Rare Feats in One Swing

When you're playing match play, like both genders are this week at Bandon Dunes for the U.S. Amateur Public Links Championship, you'll take any luck possible.

But what about an ace and a double-eagle on the same swing? That happened to UNLV's Derek Ernst, who knocked in his tee shot on the par-4 8th hole at Bandon Trails, the third course built at Bandon Dunes, on Wednesday from 299-yards.

Ryan Ferguson of Golf World has the details ...

"I was thinking there's no way it went over the green," Ernst said. "There were two marshals on the side of the green and one guy ran out and put his hands in the air. That's when I knew it was in."

The double eagle was the first on a par 4 in the APL since the USGA began tracking such stats in 1982. It is just the third double eagle ever recorded at the APL.

Now you might scoff at the fact that this hole didn't play 300-yards, but I've played Bandon Trails, and this just one of the many holes out there that make it my favorite track of all the Bandon golf courses. It might be short, but there are bunkers everywhere, and Ernst actually thought he'd pulled his tee shot into the right bunker before getting a favorable kick. Also, the green has more levels than a Home Depot, so it isn't exactly your typical walk in the park.

But very cool for Ernst during a huge event. His hole-in-albatross gave him a boost and allowed him to win his match in 19 holes. I don't hate him nearly as much as most people that write a "1" down on their scorecard, just because I've made a double-eagle before, and if I'm lucky enough to do that, I'm sure anyone is.