Little Eye

Travis Smyth experienced the despair of Little Eye on Thursday but 24 hours later, the Australian made history on the same hole. 

The consensus on the brand-new par-3 at 17 was that it was the kind of hole that could make or break a round. 

Smyth found that out to his detriment in his opening round of The 151st Open, hitting his tee shot way too far on the way to a double bogey five. 

He more than made amends on Friday though, hitting the first-ever hole-in-one on the par-3 to huge cheers from the Royal Liverpool crowds. 

At eight-over, it will not be enough for Smyth to make the cut on his Open and major debut, but in terms of consolation prizes, it surely does not get much better.

And the cherry on the top came when compatriot and reigning Champion Golfer Cameron Smith greeted his near-namesake as he came off the course. 

Smyth said: “It was amazing. A little bittersweet actually. I had a shocker the day before, made double bogey, and I was just really happy I hit a good shot because I was just so disappointed from the day before. It was a huge surprise that it went in the hole. 

“It was just the perfect distance, perfect wind and the club. Everything just kind of came together, and it was a moment I'll never forget. 

“I don't know Cam too well, but just enough to have chitchat here and there, so that was cool. 

As has been the case all week at Royal Liverpool, the crowd added to the moment, giving Smyth the first inkling of what he had achieved. 

He added: “It was really, really loud. It was awesome. If it wasn't for the guys up by the green, I wouldn't have known it went in.  

“Even walking back to 18th tee people were yelling my name; walking down 18 people were yelling my name.” 

And what of the ball itself? Well, despite a few requests, Smyth will be taking that one with him. 

“I kept the ball,” he added. “A few kids asked for it, but I felt bad I needed to keep that one.”