On a day that saw winds coming from every angle and the toughest tournament conditions so far this year, one athlete separated herself from the rest at the Atlantic Beach Classic presented by Access Golf. Yana Wilson, a 2025 rookie and decorated former amateur carded the first hole-in-one of her young Epson Tour career on Atlantic Beach Country Club’s par-3 3rd hole and found herself in the lead when play was suspended due to darkness at 6:25 p.m. local time.

Wilson was 2-under through 15 holes and is currently one shot ahead of clubhouse leaders Riley Smyth and Bi Shin, one of only three athletes to go under par during Thursday’s first round. With three holes left to play on Friday morning, the 18-year-old could find herself with her first Epson Tour lead, largely thanks to the early tournament ace.

“The stat for the hole-in-one sounds pretty bad,” said Wilson. “It was into like a 30-mph wind. I had 163 yards and hit a four-iron, which normally goes 190 (yards) for the record.”

The Nevada native wasn’t able to see the ball go in the hole but knew from the reaction of spectators that something good happened.

“I hit the shot and was like, ‘Okay. It’s not in the water, it’s not left of the green,’ club twirled, picked up the tee and walked off the tee box,” Wilson explained. “I hear everyone kind of celebrating, and I’m like, ‘Oh, I guess it went in. That’s so cool.’”

The ace was Wilson’s fourth of her golf career but her first in a tournament, making the moment one to remember. The recently-turned pro recalls another hole-in-one happening around the time she turned professional last summer, making whether or not her Thursday hole out is indeed her first professional ace a bit of a question mark.

Regardless, Wilson has a reason to celebrate, and with another two strong rounds in Atlantic Beach, she just might be celebrating in the winner’s circle come Saturday evening.

Wilson will compete round one at 7:30 a.m. tomorrow morning. Her second round begins at 9:09 a.m. local time off the 10th hole at Atlantic Beach Country Club on Friday.

Rookie Yana Wilson Cards First Epson Tour Ace

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