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Victor Perez Drains Hole-in-One at U.S. Open Then Steals the Show

Originally posted on Men's Journal | By Rachel Dillin | Last updated Jun 13, 2025 3:46 PM ET

Victor Perez made U.S. Open history on Friday, and he made it look fun. He just pulled off the kind of moment that keeps golf’s legend alive, and he did it on one of the tournament’s toughest stages.

The Frenchman sank a hole-in-one on the par-3 sixth during the second round of the 125th U.S. Open at Oakmont Country Club, making history and energizing a landscape usually defined by grit and restraint.

In a sport often defined by polite applause and reserved nods, Perez broke the mold with an exuberant celebration that spread across social media like wildfire. He struck a 7-iron from 192 yards, the ball bouncing three times and then dropping directly in the cup. The golfer raised his arms, skated toward his caddie James Erkenbeck, and shared an exuberant chest bump—a celebration not often seen on major championship turf.

"ACE ALERT," the U.S. Open’s official X account posted alongside the clip, noting both the "great shot" and "even better celebration."

ACE ALERT

Victor Perez with a great shot and an even better celebration! pic.twitter.com/cmkThegam2
— U.S. Open (@usopengolf) June 13, 2025

Perez's ace adds his name to the short and prestigious list of players who have made holes-in-one on golf's biggest stage. It was only the second hole-in-one ever recorded in a U.S. Open at Oakmont—the last came back in 1983 when Scott Simpson aced the 16th hole.

Ranked 99th in the world and playing in his sixth U.S. Open, Perez’s ace wasn’t an echo. It was a declaration. It pulled him back into contention at 1-over-par for the tournament, after an earlier triple-bogey on the par-5 12th had threatened to derail his round. With a single swing and a celebration worthy of a World Cup goal, he delivered one of the most unforgettable moments of the tournament so far.

Whether or not he contends for the title, Perez's hole-in-one will be one of the highlights fans remember long after the final putt drops. It will also be a career highlight for him. This ace wasn’t just a statistical footnote—it was a matter of timing and tone. With only 54 total holes‑in‑one in U.S. Open history, it’s an elite club, and Perez just secured his spot.

Whether Perez goes on to contend seems secondary now. For a moment, he shattered Oakmont’s “Beastly” aura and reminded everyone why golf can still move us.

This article first appeared on Men's Journal and was syndicated with permission.

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