Denmark's Emily Kristine Pedersen.
THE weather on Saturday (Oct 26) was as gloomy as it can be, however, the action on the Kuala Lumpur Golf and Country Clubs was as hot as ever as seen over the last few days.
While the charge for the leadership was red hot, the was no let up in the excitement as three golfers hit a hole-in-one efforts on the 88-metre par-three fourth hole on the third day of competition in the Maybank Championship.
The hole-in-one streak began with Denmark's Emily Kristine Pedersen, followed by American Kristen Gillman and Sweden's Anna Nordqvist, creating an unforgettable round.
This remarkable feat mirrors the 2022 JTBC Classic third round, when American Lilia Vu, Malaysia's Kelly Tan, and South Korea's Lee Jeong-eun each aced the third hole in that competition.
While these holes-in-one didn't bring personal rewards, they held great significance, generating charitable contributions.
Kristen Gillman of the United States.
Each ace activated a donation, raising US$60,000 (RM260,400) for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital in Tennessee, the United States.
Through the 'Score 1 For St. Jude' initiative, the LPGA Tour's main sponsor, CME Group, has pledged to donate this amount for each hole-in-one during the season.
With the three new aces, a total of 24 have been recorded this year, contributing to a donation total of US$480,000 (RM2.08 million).
A delighted Pedersen savoured the impact her ace had on the charity and was delighted that it was for a good cause.
"This (ace) is number five for me, three in tournaments. I think it's very cool. It's still St. Jude's, right?" said Pedersen, who shot a 71 to end the day tied for 38th at five-under 211.
"I made a hole-in-one last year as well, and I got this little plate from St. Jude's, which was so fun.
"My favourite thing I got last year was that. We make a hole-in-one and it goes to something great. It's just really cool."
Sweden's Anna Nordqvist.
American was Gillman was just as ecstatic: " That was only my second one. My other one was in South Korea, so I guess I only make them
in Asia.
"The effort mean's we contribute to a children's hospital. That is so awesome. I think that any way we can give back, feel like that's something easy
that we can do, so hopefully we keep hitting good shots and keep making hole-in-ones in so we can keep donating more money."
As Swedish Maja Stark is in blistering form and challenging for the title, it was another Swede who stole the thunder for her country on a gloomy golfing day. And hole-in-one efforts comes quite easily for her.
"You know what, I was trying to count but I lost count. I think it's like maybe between seven to nine," she said.
"It's wonderful to do it here. It's nice to see our efforts are for a good cause. Itis always nice to know you are contributing to a very good cause."
