Aces Wild: Ranking The PGA’s Best Aces This Season

A hole-in-one (Ace) is arguably one of the most exciting moments in the game of golf, it is that rare moment that can single handily change the momentum of a player’s round, it is a moment of magic that features just a little bit of fortune, and it is an occurrence that can supercharge an atmosphere unlike any other.

For some, an ace during a competitive round will happen just once or twice during a player’s entire professional career and when that moment finally occurs it is something that will reserve a special place in the memory banks for a very long time.

Every season players and fans alike are treated to these special moments and this past season on the PGA Tour alone there were over 30 Aces on Tour.

Si Woo Kim recorded the first hole-in-one of the season back at the Sanderson Farms Championship last September long before Viktor Hovland made the 32nd and final Ace of the 2021-22 PGA season at the BMW Championship a couple of weeks ago.

With so many spectacular Aces on the PGA Tour this past season it was difficult to narrow down the list to just five, nevertheless, here is my attempt at ranking the year’s Top 5.

The Top 5 Aces on The PGA Tour In 2021-22

No. 5:  Jordan Smith  (Genesis Scottish Open)

It is difficult to leave an Ace off a Top 5 list in which both player and caddie win a car because of it. That was exactly what happened after Jordan Smith’s spectacular hole-in-one on the Par 3, 17th, at the Genesis Scottish Open in July.

"“He’s a big part of that hole, so it’s great that they have managed to support caddies for that as well.”"

Smith said about his caddie Sam Matton also winning a car afterward.

The 29-year-old Englishman is a regular on the DP World Tour whose lone European Tour win came back in 2017 at the Porsche European Open.

No. 4:  Max Homa  (Arnold Palmer Invitational)

It is always a special moment when a player has their first-ever hole-in-one on the PGA Tour and that moment becomes even more meaningful when it comes at the King’s place.

Max Homa recorded his first Ace on the PGA Tour this year at the Arnold Palmer Invitational after a spectacular shot into the Par-3,14th hole at Bay Hill found the bottom of the cup.

"“Yeah, that was crazy. Out here it feels super lucky. It’s usually lucky. Yeah, it was very cool. The roar was awesome. That’s one I won’t forget.”"

Homa said after the fact while also adding that he didn’t even watch the end result.

"“I can barely see a 30-footer go in I’ve got such bad eyes. I don’t usually watch. I just listen.”"

The moment was made even better by Max Homa’, one of Twitter’s best follows, little victory dance afterward.

No. 3:  Shane Lowry  (THE PLAYERS)

The intimidating ‘Island Green’ on the Par 3, 17th hole at TPC Sawgrass is one of the most iconic holes in the world and there would be very few locales that would be a cooler place to make an Ace at.

Shane Lowry became just the 10th player to add his name to an elite group of players who have recorded an Ace on the iconic 17th after the Irishman’s spectacular hole-in-one at this year’s Players Championship.

"“Yeah, look, you go, you play this game, just special things happen sometimes. It’s pretty cool to do it there, one of the most iconic holes in golf.”"

The 2019 British Open winner said afterward. Much like Homa, Lowry’s celebration after was fantastic as Shane celebrated his second-ever Ace on the PGA Tour.

The 35-year-old can add his hole-in-one at the iconic 17th to his other on the PGA Tour which came at Augusta National as Justin Ray highlighted on Twitter. Not too shabby a collection at all.

No. 2:  Stewart Cink  (The Masters)

What’s more special than a first-ever hole-in-one on the PGA Tour, or an Ace on the 17th at TPC Sawgrass? How about an Ace at Augusta National with your son as your caddie on his birthday?

That was the case for Stewart Cink this year alongside caddie and son Reagan at this year’s Masters.

"“This golf course and the tournament, it’s just a wonderful environment anyway. So to have something like that happen was really something I’ll always remember for sure.”"

Stewart Cink commented after adding his name to a list of a handful of others who have Aced the famous ‘RedBud’ Par-3 16th hole at Augusta National.

Cink went on to cap the special moment with his son at this year’s Masters by joking that the hole-in-one was Reagan’s birthday gift for this year.

"“I already got him the hole-in-one. That’s the extent of my birthday present. I gave him the ball. That should be enough, right?”"

No. 1:  Sam Ryder  (WM Phoenix Open)

Then there was one and after much consideration, it is hard to deny Sam Ryder the top spot in this year’s rankings. Ryder’s hole-in-one on the PGA Tour’s ultimate party hole is one of the most memorable moments of the season.

There were scenes of pure pandemonium on the iconic Par-3 16th hole at this year’s WM Phoenix Open after Ryder became the first player since Francesco Molinari back in 2015 to record an Ace on the famous hole.

Sam Ryder’s spectacular hole-in-one in front of the raucous Saturday crowd at TPC Scottsdale was the first of his PGA Tour career. He became just the 10th player at the time to record an Ace on the remarkable 16th.

"“I don’t know how I could pick a hole over this one. I don’t think there’s any hole that has the electricity that this one has. I think of maybe I think of 17 at THE PLAYERS, you know, anything — 17 at the PLAYERS is pretty special atmosphere too, but there’s nothing really compares to the energy that’s in here.”"

Sam Ryder commented back in February. After fans went seven years without witnessing an Ace on the memorable Par-3, they were treated to two at this year’s WM Phoenix Open after Carlos Ortiz produced his own hole-in-one on 16 the very next day.

Ortiz became the 11th player all-time to have produced an Ace on the Par-3 party hole. The Mexican was given some consideration for the top spot in this year’s rankings but after being beaten to the punch by Ryder at this year’s WM Phoenix Open narrowly missed out.