An ace for Shawn Stefani, an 8 for Tiger Woods at U.S. Open

ARDMORE, Pa. -- A couple of struggling golfers playing back in the pack had an interesting moment within minutes of each other Sunday in the early going of the final day of the U.S. Open at the Merion Golf Club.

Shawn Stefani, a pro from Baytown, Texas, who has played a total of 15 events on the PGA Tour this year and missed the cut in eight of them, was out early with the other also-rans and is likely still smarting from his 85 on Saturday that included eight bogeys and two double bogeys.

He got to the par-three 17th Sunday, hit his tree shot well left of the pin and watched it trickle from the high grass all the way down and across the green and into the cup. It was the first hole-in-one at a U.S. Open at Merion, which has had four previous Opens.

Stefani’s round went to two-under par with that incredible shot — he kissed the grass on the hill when he got to the green — and he headed to No. 18 having had a round with four birdies, two bogeys, one double bogey and one ace.

Another struggling pro, Tiger Woods, hit his tee shot out of bounds on No. 2 and took an eight.

ALSO:

Phil Mickelson makes some noise at the U.S. Open

Steve Stricker is quietly making one shot behind at U.S. Open

Amateur Michael Kim from Cal getting some local help at Merion