Ryggs Johnston fires ace at Dubai Invitational
Daily Inter Lake | Daily Inter-Lake | UPDATED 4 hours, 16 minutes AGO
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — Libby’s Ryggs Johnston reportedly notched the first ace of professional golf in 2026, with his hole-in-one during the second round of the Dubai Invitational on Friday.
Johnston used a six iron at the 218-yard eighth for the ace and was rewarded with 1,000,000 World of Hyatt Loyalty Program bonus points after being the first professional to achieve the feat. It was the fourth hole-in-one of the season.
Johnston, who won the ISPSA Handa Australian Open in 2024, has put together rounds of 70, 72 and even-par 71 at the Dubia Creek Resort for a three-day total of 213. That put him in a two for 20th with five other golfers, including Tommy Fleetwood and Patrick Reed.
Nacho Elvira led the field at 8-under 205. Rory McIlroy sat fifth after three runs at 5-under 208.
The Arizona State product teed off at 11:25 p.m. Mountain Saturday for the final round.