Quail Hollow, May 16, 2025 — History was made on Friday at the 2025 PGA Championship when Si Woo Kim stunned the field — and the world — with a jaw-dropping 252-yard hole-in-one on the par-3 4th hole. The record-breaking ace is now officially the longest hole-in-one in major championship history, cementing Kim’s place in the PGA history books.
🚀 A 3-Wood That Soared Into the Record Books
Facing one of the most daunting par-3s on the course, Kim pulled out a 3-wood — an unusual choice for a par-3 but necessary given the 252-yard distance. With pinpoint precision, the ball landed on the front edge of the green, took a perfect hop, rolled with purpose, and dropped dead center into the cup.
“I didn’t even see it go in at first,” Kim said afterward, as reported by the PGA Tour. “When I heard the crowd roar, I just lost it.”
Kim’s reaction — a primal scream followed by launching his club into the air — was instantly iconic. As Yahoo Sports described it: “One of the best celebrations you’ll see in golf all year.”
📊 Historical Context: A Record That Stands Alone
Before Friday, no hole-in-one longer than 239 yards had ever been recorded in a men’s major, according to Golf Digest. Kim’s 252-yard ace obliterated that mark.
While long aces are rare even on the PGA Tour, making one on a stage like the PGA Championship is practically unheard of. As Golf.com put it: “You couldn’t write a better moment — or a longer one.”
🏆 Tournament Impact: Kim Vaults into Contention
Kim was hovering near the cut line before the ace. But the hole-in-one turned his round — and his week — around in an instant. He went on to card a second-round 67, vaulting him up the leaderboard and giving him serious momentum heading into the weekend.
As the Sporting News pointed out, Kim’s ace didn’t just earn him applause — it positioned him within striking distance of the leaders with two rounds to play.
🎥 A Viral Moment, A Fan Favorite
Clips of the ace and the celebration have exploded across social media, turning Kim’s moment into an instant classic. Fox Sports dubbed it “the shot of the championship,” while Sports Illustrated called his celebration “pure joy and adrenaline.”
His exuberant club toss drew comparisons to legendary aces from the likes of Tiger Woods and Justin Thomas — but this one had a flavor all its own. As MSN put it, “How many players can say they aced a 252-yard par-3 with a fairway wood — at a major?”
🐐 GOAT Meter Update
Si Woo Kim’s stock is soaring. With his fearless swing, record-breaking ace, and infectious celebration, he just earned a major GOAT moment. Whether or not he hoists the Wanamaker Trophy, his name is now etched into the annals of golf’s greatest highlights.
