Patrick Reed's Historic Albatross Stuns U.S. Open, Shakes Up Leaderboard

June 12, 2025
Patrick Reed's Historic Albatross Stuns U.S. Open, Shakes Up Leaderboard
  • During the U.S. Open on June 12, 2025, at Oakmont, Patrick Reed made a historic albatross, marking only the fourth double eagle recorded in the event's history.

  • Reed's remarkable shot involved a high fairway wood that landed 30 feet below the hole and rolled straight into the cup, showcasing one of the rarest accomplishments in golf.

  • An albatross, also known as a double eagle, is considered the rarest shot in golf, with only a few hundred made globally each year, compared to over 30,000 holes-in-one.

  • The other players who achieved this rare accomplishment include T.C. Chen in 1985, Shaun Micheel in 2010, and Nick Watney in 2012.

  • Before the albatross, Reed was one over par after three holes, but this feat propelled him to two under par, significantly boosting his performance.

  • As other top players like Rory McIlroy and Scottie Scheffler struggled to stay under par, Reed's successful shot could help him advance on the leaderboard as the tournament progresses.

  • The U.S. Open is a four-day event concluding on Sunday, and the difficulty of Oakmont raises questions about whether players will consistently post low scores throughout the competition.

  • Despite good playing conditions, the average score among early players was over 5 over par, highlighting the challenging nature of Oakmont.

  • Located in Pittsburgh's suburbs, Oakmont is known for its fast greens and punishing rough, making it arguably tougher than Augusta National in Georgia.

  • Reed expressed surprise and confusion after hitting the shot, initially unsure of the outcome until he saw the applause from spectators confirming his ball had gone in.

  • The crowd's applause confirmed that the ball had indeed sunk, marking a memorable moment for Reed and enhancing the excitement of the tournament.

  • After hitting a fairway wood onto the green, Reed raised his hand to the sky to confirm if the ball had gone in, which was met with cheers from the crowd.

Summary based on 7 sources


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