The albatross is one of the most rare and coveted birds in golf. sightings of this majestic creature are few and far between, with most birders only ever seeing one in their lifetime. And yet, for those lucky enough to witness an albatross on the links, it is an unforgettable experience.
Here we will explore just how rare these birds are, and what factors contribute to their scarcity.
Albatrosses are one of the rarest things that can happen in golf. They occur when a player hits the ball three strokes under par on a hole. This is an amazing feat and it doesn’t happen very often.
In fact, there have only been two albatrosses recorded in professional golf tournaments. The first one happened in 1967 and the second one occurred just last year, in 2016. So if you’re wondering how rare an albatross is in golf, the answer is: very rare!
Credit: thegolfnewsnet.com
How Many Golfers Have an Albatross?
An albatross is an extremely rare score in golf, achieved when a player hits three under par on a single hole. Less than 0.01% of all golfers will achieve an albatross in their lifetime.
There are two types of albatrosses: natural and artificial.
A natural albatross occurs when a player hits three under par on a hole without the aid of any man-made objects or interference. An artificial albatross, also known as a double-eagle, occurs when a player hits three under par on a hole with the help of man-made objects or interference.
The first recorded albatross was by Scottish golfer Old Tom Morris, who achieved the feat at The Open Championship in 1868.
Since then, there have been only six other confirmed cases of players achieving an albatross in major championships. In total, there have been less than 30 recorded cases of players hitting an albatross during competitive play worldwide.
Is an Albatross Rarer Than a Hole-In-One?
The answer to this question is complicated and depends on a few factors. An albatross is a very rare bird, but they are not as rare as a hole-in-one in golf. The reason for this is that there are more golfers than there are albatrosses.
Albatrosses are only found in the Southern Hemisphere and they live on remote islands. There are only about 12,000 albatrosses in the world. In contrast, there are millions of people who play golf around the world.
So, while an albatross is much rarer than a hole-in-one, it is not as rare as you might think.
When was the Last Albatross in Golf?
The last albatross in golf was on January 6, 2012, when Branden Grace shot a 2-under 70 at the Alfred Dunhill Championship.
What are the Odds of Scoring an Albatross in Golf?
In golf, an albatross is considered to be one of the rarest and most impressive feats that a player can achieve. So what are the odds of scoring an albatross?
Well, according to statistical data, the odds of an amateur golfer making an albatross are approximately 1 in 10 million.
For professional golfers, the odds are slightly lower at around 1 in 750,000.
So there you have it – if you’re planning on aiming for an albatross during your next game of golf, know that your chances aren’t great but it’s still possible!
The best albatrosses of all-time on the PGA TOUR
Tiger Woods Albatross
In 2001, Tiger Woods made history at the Masters Tournament by becoming the first player ever to score an albatross on the par-5 second hole. It was also his first albatross in competition. An albatross is a rare and impressive feat in golf, and Woods’ shot will go down as one of the most memorable moments in Masters history.
So how did he do it? First, let’s take a look at the hole itself. The second hole at Augusta National is a par 5 that measures 555 yards.
It’s reachable for most players off the tee, but there are still plenty of hazards to navigate. There are two fairway bunkers on the left side of the hole, and woods line both sides of the fairway. There are also two greenside bunkers protecting the green.
To make an albatross on this hole, you need to hit a really good drive followed by an accurate second shot. Woods did just that. His drive cleared the fairway bunkers and found the middle of the fairway.
His second shot was even better, landing just short of the green and rolling up to within six feet of the flagstick. From there, he simply sank his putt for eagle to complete one of golf’s rarest feats!
Conclusion
In golf, an albatross is a score of three-under-par on a single hole. This is a very rare feat, as there are only around 500 recorded albatrosses in the history of professional golf. In order to score an albatross, a golfer must hit their tee shot onto the green in two shots, and then sink their putt in one shot.
While this may seem like a lucky fluke, it is actually quite difficult to do, and requires a great deal of skill.
While an albatross is an amazing accomplishment, it is important to remember that they are still quite rare. So don’t get too discouraged if you don’t manage to score one yourself – just enjoy the game!