Rory McIlroy Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports

After disappointing U.S. Open, Rory returns with an ace at Travelers

By Gerrit Ritt | Last updated 6/22/23

Rory McIlroy was certainly disappointed with yet another second-place finish in a major last weekend at the U.S. Open, but you've got to be impressed with his ability to bounce back.

Thursday's opening round at the Traveler's Championship was McIlroy's first time back out on the course since the Open and he seemed destined to make a mark early on. That's exactly what he did on the 214-yard par-three eighth hole.

ACE FOR RORY!@McIlroyRory holes it from 214 yards @TravelersChamp pic.twitter.com/bKUfts2RvU
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) June 22, 2023

The issue with Rory's game throughout the U.S. Open was that he simply couldn't get the putts to fall when it mattered the most. Well, what better way to avoid having to putt than by making hole-in-ones?

Turns out it was one of the few highlights of Rory's first round, as that ace accounted for all his scoring on the day. After bogeying 18, McIlroy finished with a two-under 68, seven shots back of the lead on a day when scoring was coming easy for most of the field, with more than half the field shooting under par. First-round leader Denny McCarthy came inches away from holing out from the fairway on the final hole to shoot 59. He ended up making the putt for a 60.

Denny McCarthy was thiiiiiiiiiiis close to a 59 https://t.co/Mp1Z3zHG9o pic.twitter.com/VRhLLVe7SM
— Krispen Wah (@SirSnaxAlot5015) June 22, 2023

As for Rory – who has played professionally since 2007, won four majors and been named the PGA Tour Player of the Year five times – this was actually his first-career ace as a pro. It seems ironic, as he was front-and-center for one of the more memorable holes-in-one in recent memory while playing alongside club pro sensation Michael Block during the final round of the PGA Championship a month ago.