Fourth 59 in Tour History
Paul Goydos became only the fourth player in tour history to shoot a 59 with an amazing opening round at the John Deere Classic on Thursday. Not bad for a guy who hasn’t had a top-40 finish since early May and has not won on the tour since 2007.
“I’ve been very good at playing poorly now for the last 10 tournaments or so,” Goydos said.
Well, not anymore. His tee shots found the middle of the fairway. His approaches stuck on the green. And, most importantly, his putts found the middle of the cup over and over again. Goydos birdied every hole on the back nine except for No. 15, where he holed a 6-foot par putt to keep alive his hopes. He finished off with three birdies, the last one from 7 feet to join the most exclusive club in golf.
So he shot 59 in the opening round and he is leading by ONE! Steve Stricker shot a smooth 60 almost holing out on 18 to tie Goydos. Maybe there will be golf worth watching in the US this weekend. Interesting Facts after the jump:
Interesting facts: Goydos’ 8-under 28 on the back nine matched the lowest nine-hole score in relation to par on the PGA Tour, last achieved by Corey Pavin, who had an 8-under 26 in the first round of the 2006 U.S. Bank Championship in Milwaukee.
This was the first 59 on the tour since David Duval’s memorable final round helped him win the 1999 Bob Hope Classic. Al Geiberger was the first to shoot 59, in the second round of the 1977 Memphis Classic at Colonial Country Club. Chip Beck shot his 59 in the third round of the 1991 Las Vegas Invitational at Sunrise Golf Course. Goydos is the first to shoot 59 on a par 71. The others came on par 72s.
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