Australian golfer Jarrod Lyle confounded commentators as he shared in back-to-back eagles from the fairway on the same hole in the US PGA Tour's season-opening tournament.
Resuming his postponed battle to regain a tour card on a medical exemption, two-time cancer survivor Lyle made a bright start with an opening three-under-par 69 at the Frys.com Open in Napa, California.
But it was his effort on the par 5 16th hole that had the tv commentators gaping and golf fans clicking the website video replay.
They were impressed when Lyle's American playing partner holed his 122-yard third shot for eagle.
But they could scarcely believe it when Lyle followed suit by pitching in from 64 yards for an eagle three of his own.
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"Is there room in that hole for another ball?" asked a tv commentator as Lyle prepared to hit.
"No," said his colleague.
"I think there is ... stop it right now," said the first pundit, as Lyle's ball checked and spun back into the cup.
Lyle cut short his first attempt at returning to claim a tour card last season after realising his game wasn't competitive enough.
It has left him with 10 events to earn $US217,680 ($A299,772) for full status on tour and he has returned with renewed confidence after doing extensive fitness training.
His opening round left him tied 26th but still six shots behind American leader Brendan Steele who had a 63 to lead by one stroke from Venezuela's Jhonattan Vegas.
Lyle and veteran John Senden (69) were the leading Australians in the low-key tour start.
Veteran Stuart Appleby had a 70, youngster Cameron Smith shot 71 in his first event as a tour member, matching Aaron Baddeley.
Further adrift on a low-scoring day, Robert Allenby had a 73, Geoff Ogilvy shot 74 and Matt Jones a 75.
