Rory McIlroy has a habit of overshadowing everything anyone else does at present. World No 1s tend to do that kind of thing. When the history of the 10th Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship is written, the fact it was where McIlroy hit his first career hole-in-one is likely to figure prominently. But his has not been the only one this week.
Record aces
The record for hole-in-ones in any given week on the European Tour is six, at the 1991 Fujitsu Mediterranean Open in Spain. By the time most people were having their breakfast on Saturday morning, this tournament was up to four, after An Byeong-hun required just the one shot to navigate the par-3 15th.
Silent witness
The South Korean player was partnering Oliver Wilson in the first match out on the course. The galleries were minimal at the time, so the moment was light on witnesses. "I didn't see it going in," he said. "I got up there, there's one guy watching, just clapping. I thought, Oh, it must be close. I walked up there, and didn't see any balls. It was in the hole."
No prizes for aceing
Tom Lewis hit the first ace of the week, during Thursday's opening round, and thus made off with the swag - namely, a Cadillac Escalade. So Miguel Angel Jimenez, McIlroy, and then An, were left with no more than the glow of satisfaction. "Would have been better to get a car, but still," An said.
Plain sailing
The tee-box at the 15th has a huge picture of the Azzam yacht competing in the Volvo Ocean Race behind it. It could be construed as being the prize for an ace. "I thought about that in the practice rounds," An said. "Must be an expensive hole-in-one here, but unfortunately no."
An in form
An's 15th was the headline in a pair of fine rounds. He made a 65, to get to 9-under par for the tournament, bettering his playing partner by one stroke. "I didn't play very well [on Friday] but managed to make the cut," he said. "[Saturday] is moving day and I think I did quite well."
Consolation
Because Jimenez, McIlroy and An did not get a prize, Abu Dhabi Tourism and Culture Authority, which owns and organises the tournament, is asking fans to make suggestions as to what the players could win following their aces. The winning suggestion will receive two Etihad Airways flights and four nights in the St Regis Saadiyat Island resort in Abu Dhabi. The Championship Committee will choose the favourite idea for the prize at 2pm today. Further details are on the tournament's Facebook page.
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