Eric Cole produced one of golf’s most electrifying moments on Thursday afternoon at the PGA Championship, drilling a hole-in-one that ignited the Quail Hollow crowd and sparked life into his first round.

Playing the 184-yard par-3 fourth hole, Cole’s tee shot was a masterpiece. The ball took four quick hops on the front edge of the green and then rolled smoothly into the cup, a moment that triggered jubilant celebrations back at the tee box. The PGA Championship’s official account quickly broadcast the ace, celebrating Cole's moment of magic.

“Eric Cole makes a hole-in-one from 184 yards on the 4th hole. #PGAChamp”

It marked the first hole-in-one of this year’s PGA Championship and was Cole’s second career ace on the PGA Tour. His previous hole-in-one came during the 2024 Zurich Classic of New Orleans while playing with Russ Cochran in the team-format event. However, this latest ace was his first in an individual tournament, making it all the more special.

The timing of Cole’s spectacular shot couldn’t have been better. The 36-year-old had gotten off to a rocky start on his back nine, opening with a bogey followed by a double bogey that left him fighting to stay in contention. But the ace propelled him back to even par, and he added one more birdie later in the round to finish 1-under par.

Although Cole has yet to secure his first PGA Tour win, he has shown promising form this season. With two top-10 finishes already under his belt — including a T5 performance at The CJ Cup Byron Nelson just two weeks ago — Cole continues to build momentum and confidence. This week marks just his third appearance at a PGA Championship, having missed the cut last year in Louisville. His performance at Quail Hollow, though, suggests he’s ready to challenge the game’s elite on one of the sport’s grandest stages.

Elsewhere on the course, another memorable near-miss came from Tyler Collet. The teaching professional from Florida nearly matched Cole’s feat with a sensational shot at the par-3 13th. Collet’s ball came within inches of dropping for an ace, just barely lipping out, leaving him visibly stunned on the tee.

“Tyler Collet nearly aces #13! 😳”

This year’s tournament marks Collet’s fourth PGA Championship appearance. Though he’s still searching for his first made cut at the event, shots like the one on Thursday show that even underdog professionals can rise to the occasion and steal the spotlight, if only momentarily.

While Cole and Collet thrilled fans with individual brilliance, the early leaderboard belonged to Cam Davis and Ryan Gerard, who both carded impressive 5-under rounds to share the lead after Thursday’s play. Their solid starts put them in prime position heading into the second round, with plenty of golf left to play.

Quail Hollow, a course renowned for its demanding layout and the infamous “Green Mile” finishing stretch, has already started to challenge players in various ways. The opening round wasn’t without controversy either, with players such as Scottie Scheffler and Xander Schauffele expressing frustration over course conditions.

“Kind of stupid,” one player said, referencing issues with “mud balls and missed shots.”

In addition to mud and course complaints, even nature made an unexpected appearance — a delay due to turtles crossing fairways raised eyebrows and smiles among players and fans alike, adding a touch of levity to an otherwise intense day of competition.

As the 2025 PGA Championship continues, all eyes will remain on the rising contenders and surprise performers who are pushing their way up the leaderboard. For Eric Cole, the ace not only lit up Quail Hollow but also served as a vital momentum shift in his round. It may be just one shot, but in a tournament that crowns major champions, moments like Cole’s hole-in-one can define careers and inspire the field.

And though the ultimate prize remains up for grabs, Thursday’s play proved once again that the PGA Championship can deliver magic, drama, and storylines that extend well beyond the final leaderboard.