Dustin Johnson’s – Dustin Johnson turned a 186-yard par-3 shot into a hole-in-one at Real Club Valderrama, then posted a 7-under 64 to move into a tie for fourth at LIV Golf Andalucia in Sotogrande.
The fans at Real Club Valderrama had barely settled into their seats Saturday afternoon before Dustin Johnson did the one thing that makes a golf day feel like it belongs to someone else. On the par-3 third. Johnson launched an ace from 186 yards—his tee shot landing softly and then taking a few hops before finding the cup.
For Johnson, it wasn’t just highlight reel material. It was the second hole-in-one of the week at LIV Golf Andalucia. following Lucas Herbert’s ace earlier in the tournament. Herbert’s shot had already delivered LIV Golf the tournament’s first ace. and together the two golfers accounted for the 17th and 18th hole-in-ones in league history.
Johnson, the captain of LIV’s 4Aces, finished Saturday with a 7-under 64—the lowest round on the day—and climbed the leaderboard in Sotogrande. He sits T-4 alongside fellow Masters winner Jon Rahm. Through 54 holes, Abraham Ancer and Cameron Smith are also in the mix at 5 under.
At the same time, the round carried its own reminder that even a stunning ace doesn’t erase everything. Johnson double bogeyed No. 17 before saving par as he made his way into the clubhouse.
Afterward, Johnson said the ace came after two days of strong swings that simply hadn’t turned into results.
“It’s always cool to make a hole-in-one. The previous two days I had hit really good shots; just did not turn out good. Today, when this one was in the air, I was like, this is as good a shot as I can hit.”
He also pointed to what the 64 meant—and what it didn’t. Even with the impressive score, he said the par-5 holes didn’t cooperate the way they might have.
“I know it’s weird, but I didn’t play bad the first day,” Johnson said. “It was a really easy 5-over. Then obviously came back and played really nicely the last two days. Even today, I know I shot 7 under, which is a really good score, but I played the par 5s even.”
That earlier wobble still shadows his tournament profile: after 18 holes, Johnson finished with a 5-over 76.
Saturday also featured a standout at the top of the leaderboard. Tyrrell Hatton—playing for the first time since becoming a father—has carded a 67-69-67 to open the tournament and is carrying a two-shot lead over Thomas Detry. Hatton’s pace has been underlined by steady putting and clean early scoring: on Saturday he played the front nine in a bogey-free 3 under. with his putter helping him hold the 54-hole lead.
“It’s the same shape as what I’ve been using for the last few years,” Hatton said. “It’s just got an insert, so the ball comes off a little bit quicker … I feel comfortable with it. Different grip. Hopefully it works well tomorrow.”
Hatton missed LIV Golf Korea for the birth of his daughter, but his equipment and his form have kept him in front as the tournament moves forward. Even with Johnson’s push behind him, Hatton remains the player to catch in the individual standings, while LIV’s team race is also taking shape.
The Aces are in first in team play at 12 under, yet Johnson is still five shots off Hatton’s lead heading into what comes next.
LIV Golf Andalucia Dustin Johnson hole-in-one Valderrama Sotogrande Tyrrell Hatton Lucas Herbert Jon Rahm Abraham Ancer Cameron Smith