Richard Green today scored a hole-in-one on the par-4 15^th hole at Thirteenth Beach Golf Links ahead of the Oates Vic Open.

Competing in the official tournament pro-am today, Green
took his driver off the 15^th tee but was blissfully unaware he had
recorded a rare ace and albatross.

Believing that his ball had ended in a bunker he was surprised
to learn the ball had popped out of the bunker, onto the green and into the
hole.

"I noticed the tee was up from where we played it last year,
I thought it was a good opportunity to get up near the green and contend for
birdies during the week," said Green.

"I thought I would hit a driver and see what happens, I just
pushed it a little bit, it was a good shot, but I knew it was going in the
bunker so I was completely oblivious to the fact that it had made its way to
the hole somehow."

Obviously ecstatic, this is the first time the three-time
European Tour winner has scored an albatross with it now featuring high on his
career highlights list.

"I haven’t had anything like that happen before, I have had
hole in ones during tournaments but they have been shots that have landed by the
hole and found their way in," added Green.

"They were fantastic moments but an albatross, I have never
come close. They are something that may never happen to someone in their career
as a Professional."

"So to have one in even in a pro-am was very special."

While it may not count towards his tournament score it does
boost his confidence ahead of the first round of the Oates Vic Open which tees
off tomorrow.

"I’ve had a very good three weeks leading up through the Middle
East, and competed against some of Europe’s best players, Ryder Cup players and
found myself in contention with them," added Green.

"In years gone by I have struggled in those tournaments so I
feel like my form is better than it has been in previous years."

"My putting has been exceptionally good and my short game,
so I have come back here with as good a chance as I think I am going to give
myself."

And what of his strategy for the 15^th hole during
the Oates Vic Open? Green says it’s a hole to make birdies and eagles.

"I think it’s an opportunity hole definitely to make birdie,
it’s going to be an exciting hole to watch, you will see a lot of birdies and a
lot of eagles through the week," added Green.

 "I am going to give
myself as good an opportunity as I can, I don’t know if I will take it on the same
line as I did in the pro-am, although I know it works."

#VicOpen Richard Green took his driver off the 15th tee but was unaware he had recorded a rare ace & albatross. http://t.co/5GjQITcPOs

— PGA of Australia (@PGAofAustralia) February 4, 2015