Graeme McDowell gives team 'shot in the arm' with brilliant hole in one

Ace was first on PGA Tour for Portrush golfer

Graeme McDowell acknowledges the fans after his hole in one on the 17th during the second round of the Zurich Classic of New Orleans at TPC Louisiana. Picture: Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images

Graeme McDowell celebrated in different stages at the par-3 17th hole at TPC Louisiana on Friday. It’s a fairly brutal hole, all 216 yards of it, and water guards its entire left side. A par was the score he was chasing in the second round of the Zurich Classic. So when McDowell saw that the beautiful 4-iron he struck safely on land, pitching at the front of the green, that was cause for joy in itself. He didn’t bother to even watch the rest once it bounced.