With the 45th Ryder Cup now underway and four Par 3’s on the Bethpage Black course, golf fans might wonder if we’ll see an ‘ace shot’ over the three days. With that in mind, we look at the holes this might happen on, plus answer the question – how many Ryder Cup holes-in-one have there been?
SIX Ryder Cup Holes-In-Ones – With The Most Recent In 2006 ⛳
Since the first event in 1927, there have been SIX Ryder Cup holes-in-ones.
But the last came 19 years ago in 2006 – so, maybe we are due another?
At the Bethpage Black Golf Course in 2025, there are FOUR Par 3’s where one of the 24 players will be trying for another famous ace.
Two on the front nine and two on the back nine (see below).
It took 46 years to produce the first Ryder Cup hole-in-one, which happened back in 1973 at Muirfield, Scotland.
So, just who are the famous six players that have fired in an ace over one of the three Ryder Cup formats?
DID YOU KNOW? Five of the six Ryder Cup hole-in-ones have come from European players and only one from the USA
Ryder Cup Hole-In-Ones: The Famous Six 🏌️
1973 – PETER BUTLER (GB&Ire) – Muirfield, Scotland
The first ever Ryder Cup hole-in-one happened in a foursomes match when Peter Butler was playing with Brian Barnes.
This direct hit happened on day two of the 1973 event – when Butler holed his tee shot on the Par 3 16th (188 yards) at Muirfield, Scotland.
However, despite creating history Butler and Barnes lost the match to Jack Nicklaus and Tom Weiskopf.
USA won the Ryder Cup 19-13.
1993 – NICK FALDO (Europe) – The Belfry, UK
It was two-time Masters champion Nick Faldo who was next to add his name to the Ryder Cup hole-in-one hall-of-fame.
The English golfer hit his ace during his singles match in 1993 at the Belfry on the Brabazon course in Warwickshire.
This came on the 189-yard 14th and helped Faldo tie his match with Paul Azinger.
USA ended up winning the Ryder Cup 15-13 that year.
1995 – CONSTANTINO ROCCA (Europe) – Oak Hill Country Club, US
The third Ryder Cup hole-in-one came in the next event in 1995 and another for Europe.
Italian Constantino Rocca was the player in question when he fired in his ace playing with Sam Torrance in a foursomes match on day two.
This came at the Oak Hill Country Club in the US, on their 6th (167 yards) hole.
The European pair when onto beat Davis Love III and Jeff Maggert 6&5.
Europe also won the Ryder Cup that year 14 1/2 -13 1/2, which has been the most common Ryder Cup correct score over the years.
2006 – PAUL CASEY (Europe) – K Club, Ireland
We had to wait 11 years to see the next Ryder Cup hole-in-one, which came in 2006 – in fact there were two this year.
England’s Paul Casey fired in the first in a day two foursomes match when playing with David Howell.
It came at the K Club in Ireland on the 14th hole (213 yards).
With the European pair winning that match 5&4 over Zach Johnson and Steward Cink (watch below).
Europe won the Ryder Cup that year 18 1/2 – 9 1/2.
2006 – SCOTT VERPLANK (USA) – K Club, Ireland
Also, at the K Club in 2006, we saw another Ryder Cup hole-in-one – this time from USA’s Scott Verplank.
This was the first ace from an American player at the event and remains the most recent.
It came on the 14th hole again – the same as Paul Casey’s hole-in-one – but when playing in his singles match against Padraig Harrington.
Verplank went onto win the match 4&3, but USA lost the Ryder Cup that year.
WATCH: Every Ryder Cup Hole-In-One In History
Bethpage Black Golf Course Par 3’s – Where Could See A Ryder Cup Hole-in-One?
Hole 3: Par 3 (210 yards)
The first pa3 three that the 2025 Ryder Cup players will face on the Bethpage Black Course.
It’s 210 yards and protected by three greenside bunkers.
The hole was shorter back at the 2002 US Open, but the tee has been moved back since.
Hole 8: Par 3 (210 yards)
The second par 3 at the Ryder Cup 2025 will come just before the turn on hole 8.
Another that measures in at 210 yards, this hole will have some water at the front of the green for players to get over too.
While any shots over-hit could end up in one of the two back bunkers.
Hole 14: Par 3 (161 yards)
The easiest hole on the course and, therefore, this could be the most likely to see a 2025 Ryder Cup hole-in-one.
It is also the shortest of the par 3’s at just 161 yards and has two bunker traps to avoid.
Hole 17: Par 3 (179 yards)
The final Ryder Cup par 3 will come on the 17th – measuring in at 179 yards.
As you can see below, the hole is littered with bunkers – and a much smaller dancefloor to aim at.
In total, there are five sand traps, so miss the green and there is every chance players will be pulling the sand wedge out of the bag.
