Two-time Masters champion Bubba Watson and Asian Tour star Phachara Khongwatmai from Thailand miraculously made holes-in-one just 10 minutes apart on the same hole in the third round of the BNI Indonesian Masters today – with the Habitat Humanity Indonesia charity the big winner.
The aces resulted in the donation of two houses to Indonesian families in need through the charity, while for good measure Watson donated a third house.
Watson was first up with his sixth career hole in one, hitting a pitching wedge on the par-three 11th at Royale Jakarta Golf Club. Phachara feathered a 48-degree wedge 154 yards for his second career hole-in-one.
Range Goats GC captain Watson confirmed after the round that he would match the charitable organisation by donating another house.
He said: “To be able to help people, the game of golf is helped tremendously around the world for all the charity things that golf has brought to the table, so to be a part of that, it's very special. It's an honour and I heard there was another hole-in-one right behind me, so somebody needs to match that so there'll be a couple families that will be helped out. So it's an amazing thing that golf could can do that for somebody.”
Phachara said: “I feel very lucky for me to make a hole in one, and it’s double lucky because a family gets to benefit from my good fortunate.”
Abraham Tulung, General Manager of Resource Development from Habitat for Humanity Indonesia, said, ““Habitat for Humanity Indonesia would like express our deepest gratitude to Bubba Watson and Phachara Khongwatmai for their incredible hole-in-one at the BNI Indonesian Masters 2024.
“This remarkable achievement is more than just a golfing milestone; it's a powerful blessing that will directly impact the lives of a low-income family in Indonesia. We also extend our heartfelt thanks to the BNI Indonesian Masters 2024 for their unwavering support. This partnership will help us build a brighter future for the families we serve.”
Surprisingly it is not the first time that two players have made holes in one on the same hole on the same round on the Asian Tour – it has happened on three different occasions previously.
In the second round of the Maybank Malaysian Open in 2015, France’s Gregory Bourdy and Australian Jake Higginbottom, six groups ahead, both aced the par-three 15th at Kuala Lumpur Golf & Country Club.
In the third round of 2018 Fiji International at Natadola Bay Golf Course, Thailand’s Thitiphun Chuayprakong and Kieran Muir from New Zealand both aced the par-three second. Thitiphun was two groups ahead. And in the second round of the 2019 New Zealand Open at Millbrook, Thailand’s Poom Saksansin and Damien Jordan from Australia aced the second.
Habitat for Humanity Indonesia, founded in 1997, works to improve lives by providing safe, affordable housing and support services for low-income families across the country. By offering housing loans, building disaster-resistant homes, and providing community training on disaster risk management, the organisation helps families achieve stability and economic security.
The International Series is the most prized pathway in golf. It consists of 10 elite tournaments sanctioned by the Asian Tour and offers the year-long Rankings leader promotion to the LIV Golf League
