Context:

Patrick Reed achieved a rare golfing milestone by making an albatross at the U.S. Open on the par-5 fourth hole at Oakmont, marking only the fourth occurrence since official records began four decades ago. His second shot, a fairway wood from 286 yards, bounced three times on the green before rolling into the hole, a feat that left him momentarily unsure and astonished. Reed's accomplishment places him alongside T.C. Chen, Shaun Micheel, and Nick Watney as the only players to have achieved this at the U.S. Open. Albatrosses are exceedingly rare, with only a few hundred recorded worldwide annually, in stark contrast to the more common hole-in-ones. The applause from spectators confirmed the ball's entry into the hole, solidifying Reed's place in U.S. Open history.

Dive Deeper:

• Patrick Reed made a remarkable albatross on the par-5 fourth hole at Oakmont during the U.S. Open, a rare event that has only been officially recorded four times in the tournament's history.

• Using a fairway wood from 286 yards, Reed's ball bounced thrice on the green before disappearing into the hole, an occurrence so rare it left Reed questioning whether the shot was successful.

• The accomplishment aligns Reed with golfers T.C. Chen, Shaun Micheel, and Nick Watney, who are the only other players to have achieved an albatross in the U.S. Open since 1983.

• Albatrosses, also known as double-eagles, are notable for their rarity in golf, with only a few hundred occurring worldwide each year, compared to over 30,000 holes-in-one.

• Spectators confirmed the success of Reed's shot through their applause, providing an audible affirmation that his ball had indeed found its target and entered the hole.