BBC SPORT | Special Events | 2001 | The Open

Frank Lickliter claimed the first hole-in-one at the 2001 Open Championship.

The American aced the 212-yard fifth hole - the longest par-three on the course - to the delight of packed galleries at Royal Lytham.

The 31-year-old, playing his first Open, hit a six iron from the tee to the heart of the green - and the ball sank on the fourth bounce.

The hole-in-one salvaged the start of Lickliter's second round.

He had begun the day on level par but had dropped three shots in the previous two holes before landing his ace.

He followed the ace with a birdie at the par-five sixth to return to even par for the tournament.

John Daly tees off at the second hole on Friday
Daly failed to control his erratic game
"I actually did hit it right at the pin," said Lickliter, who carded a 71 to stay at level par for the championship.

"The wind was a little out of the right. I just hit it super-solid on a perfect trajectory.

"I've had six (holes-in-one) in my career, but this is the best."

But there was misery for another American, former Open champion John Daly.

The 1995 winner crashed out of the championship after carding a sorry 76 in his second round for a six over par half-way total of 148.

Daly is nicknamed Wild Thing - because of his colourful off-course lifestyle and because he possesses a huge, but wayward, drive which often lands him in trouble.

And the big-hitter, who won the Claret Jug in a thrilling play-off with Costantino Rocca at St Andrews six years ago, saw his game deteriorate at the start of his round.

Despite the benign conditions in the morning, Daly slumped to a five over par 40 at the turn - and there was no way back from there, as he missed the cut.


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