Emiliano Grillo thrilled the crowd on the second day of the 2025 Phoenix Open at TPC Scottsdale by achieving a hole-in-one on Friday afternoon.
His spectacular 155-yard shot landed directly in the cup at the par-3 16th hole, sparking a massive celebration from the enthusiastic spectators in the three-story grandstand. Following the incredible shot, Grillo embraced his playing partner Rafael Campos and then his caddie before exchanging high-fives with Seamus Power.
“It was a perfect shot, the perfect distance. Just a full swing with the pitching wedge,” Grillo shared on Golf Channel as he made his way to the green. “The reaction was a bit delayed because it’s hard to see from 150 yards. But when the crowd went wild, so did I.”
Grillo’s hole-in-one marked the 12th ace on No. 16 at TPC Scottsdale since the Phoenix Open relocated to this course in 1987. The most recent player to achieve this feat was Carlos Ortiz during the 2022 tournament’s final round.
“These are the moments you dream of,” he added. “I’ve been playing here for 10 years and have witnessed a few. Every time you stand there, you think, ‘What if this one goes in?’ And this time, it did.”
Grillo’s hole-in-one was his second on the Tour, with the first occurring at the 13th hole at Royal Portrush during the 2019 Open Championship.
The fans at the event truly embraced the tournament’s lively atmosphere by showering the green with beer cans and bottles in celebration. This led to a brief delay as officials cleared the debris, raked the bunkers, and inspected the green for any damage. However, Grillo’s remarkable shot was undeniably worth the excitement.
There was almost another reason for the spectators to erupt in cheers when Michael Kim narrowly missed a hole-in-one on the same hole. His high shot bounced on the green before settling just a few feet away from the hole.
Despite the hole-in-one, Grillo is currently tied for 62nd place at 2-under, with play paused just before the conclusion of Round 2. He is expected to make the cut by a narrow margin, thanks to his ace potentially propelling him into the weekend rounds.