SAN DIEGO — Kyle Westmoreland's shot out of the tee box on the par-3 16th hole at Torrey Pines' South Course struck the green maybe 2 feet to the right of the pin. The sidespin carried the ball directly into the cup on a single bounce.

Westmoreland, a 31-year-old Air Force Academy graduate, threw his club in front of him in triumph. His only other aces — let alone shots with that kind of English on the ball — had occurred on digital courses in the Tiger Woods PGA Tour series.

"I've been overdue," Westmoreland said after finishing his opening round of the Farmers Insurance Open with a 2-under 70, tied for 50th. "I've been everything you can imagine. I've hit the pin. I've landed in the hole and bounced out. I've hit in water and had to re-tee and made a 3. Everything you can imagine.

"But hey, I finally have one."

Westmoreland's first career hole-in-one was the highlight of his first start in this tournament. He's familiar with Torrey Pines: Last year, he became the first Air Force Academy grad to qualify for the U.S. Open. He then made the cut at Torrey, ultimately finishing in a tie for 68th place.

At that point, his career was still in the early goings after fulfilling five years of active duty service time following graduation.

He'd been stationed in Colorado Springs, Biloxi, Miss., and Charleston, S.C.

Three times he was sent to three different spots in Africa in a support role.

In between, Westmoreland did what he could to keep his golf game sharp.

"A lot of chipping and putting into boots at the base on a lunch break," Westmoreland said.

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