Golfer Hits Historic Hole-in-1 at U.S. Open

It is the first hole-in-one ever shot during a U.S. Open at Merion.

Merion Golf Club saw a historic first early Sunday afternoon as Shawn Stefani took his tee shot with a four iron on the 17th hole at Merion's storied East Course.

The ball bounced on a slope in higher, not quite rough, grass on the edge of the 17th green, then rolled and turned and rolled right into the cup. It came to rest wedged between the metal stick and the cup underneath an iconic Merion red wicker basket.

The packed gallery in the grandstands around the 17th green erupted in cheers as the ball rolled across the green and finally into the hole.

"I didn't know what to do but jump up‑and‑down for joy." Stefani told interviewers after finishing his fourth round of play.

According to NBC Sports, it was the sixth U.S. Open hole-in-one over the past ten years and the first-ever hit during a U.S. Open at Merion.

"Oh, yeah," screamed Stefani, after he jumped up and down on the tee, hugged his caddy and gave high five's to all in his party around the tee and even kissed the ground.

"We're in Philly." Stefani told reporters.  "There's some great fans up here and I know they can be tough on you and they can love you forever.  So I'm sure they appreciated me going to the ground and kissing it, because obviously the ground is where the kick started and the ball kicking right and going on the green."

Stefani is in his second year on the PGA tour. Although he didn't finish in the hunt, his name will now be part of the legend of the historic Merion Golf Club's East Course in Haverford.