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Golf is a sport filled with unforgettable moments, but few are as thrilling as a hole-in-one. While making an ace is already an incredible feat, achieving one from a significant distance elevates the moment into legendary status. Throughout PGA history, only a handful of players have managed to sink some of the longest hole-in-ones ever recorded, defying the odds with remarkable precision and power.
In this article, we’ll take a look at five of the longest hole-in-ones in PGA history, showcasing the players who accomplished them and the extraordinary distances they covered.
Kicking off the list is Jonathan Byrd, whose 204-yard ace just barely edged out Tiger Woods’ famous 1996 hole-in-one by a mere two yards. Byrd’s unforgettable shot came during the playoff round of the 2010 Justin Timberlake Shriners Hospitals for Children Open. Facing a difficult par-3 on the 17th hole, Byrd delivered a perfectly clean swing, sending the ball soaring through the air before it landed and rolled straight into the cup.
Not only was this an impressive display of skill, but it also secured him the victory, as the ace broke a first-place tie and clinched the tournament trophy. Few golfers can say they’ve won a tournament on a hole-in-one, making Byrd’s achievement one for the history books.
In 1962, veteran golfer Jerry Barber made history with one of the longest hole-in-ones ever recorded at the time. Competing in the Buick Invitational, Barber struck a flawless 222-yard shot on a par-3, sending the ball directly toward the hole. With precision and a bit of luck, the ball dropped in, marking one of the most impressive aces in PGA history.
What made this moment even more significant was the fact that it was the first televised hole-in-one, allowing fans to witness the magic live. In an era when golf highlights were rarely broadcast in real-time, Barber’s ace became an iconic moment, showcasing the thrill of golf to a broader audience.
Fast-forward to July 2024, when South Korean golfer Si Woo Kim made headlines by sinking the first-ever recorded hole-in-one at the British Open. Playing on the historic 17th hole, Kim stepped up and launched an astonishing 238-yard shot that landed softly on the green before rolling directly into the hole.
This remarkable feat not only cemented Kim’s name in the record books but also set a new benchmark for aces in one of golf’s most prestigious tournaments. As of today, his 238-yard hole-in-one remains the longest in British Open history, a record that may stand for years to come.
One of the most unique and unpredictable hole-in-ones in PGA history belongs to Andrew Magee, who managed to achieve an ace on a par-4 hole—something almost unheard of in professional golf. During the 2001 Waste Management Phoenix Open, Magee teed off on the 17th hole and sent the ball flying 332 yards. What happened next was nothing short of extraordinary.
His shot, seemingly destined for a routine approach shot, took an unexpected turn when it ricocheted off Tom Byrum’s putter—Byrum was standing in a group ahead—before deflecting straight into the hole. The sheer luck and improbability of this event make it one of the most entertaining aces ever recorded, proving that sometimes, golf’s most incredible moments happen in the most unexpected ways.
Topping the list—and holding the all-time PGA record for the longest hole-in-one—is Mike Crean’s mind-blowing 517-yard ace. Taking place in 2002 at the Green Valley Ranch Golf Club, Crean’s achievement is one of those rare moments in sports that seem almost too incredible to be real. Facing a daunting par-5, Crean launched a powerful drive that carried across the fairway with the help of high-altitude conditions.
Against all odds, his shot traveled the entire 517-yard distance, rolled onto the green, and found its way into the hole. This shot shattered all previous records and remains unmatched to this day. It stands as a testament to both skill and the occasional magic that makes golf one of the most unpredictable and thrilling sports.
Liam has been a major sports fan and soccer player for over a decade, with a particular focus on major top-level soccer leagues, including the EPL, La Liga, Serie A, Bundesliga and MLS. He has written numerous promotional articles for various top sportsbooks and continues to publish historical and factual sports articles covering the NFL, MLS, NHL, MLB, EPL and more.