Journeyman golfer Paul Goydos, ranked 137th on the tour, has become just the fourth player in PGA history to fire a 59 during a tournament.
View full sizePaul Goydos' 59 in the John Deere Classic today is the first 59 on the PGA Tour in 11 years, and only the fourth in tour history. Silvas, Ill. — Paul Goydos has become just the fourth golfer in PGA Tour history to shoot a 59.
Goydos put together his 12-under, bogey-free round on the opening day of the John Deere Classic. He made the turn at 4-under, then birdied all but one hole on the back nine at the 7,257-yard TPC Deere Run course, capping Thursday’s sizzling round by knocking in a 7-foot birdie putt on the par-4 18th.
He raised his club in triumph and accepted high-fives on the way to the clubhouse.
“It’s almost a mythical number in our game,” said Goydos, a 46-year-old pro from Dove Canyon, Calif. “I’ve gone from clubbing a ball in the backyard all the way to the moon, and missed all the steps in between.”
It’s the first 59 on the tour since David Duval went that low in a memorable final round at the 1999 Bob Hope Classic. The other 59s were by Al Geiberger in 1977 and Chip Beck in 1991.
Goydos’ 8-under 28 on the back nine matched the lowest nine-hole score in relation to par in PGA history. Corey Pavin shot an 8-under 26 in the first round of the 2006 U.S. Bank Championship in Milwaukee.
Goydos is ranked 137th in the world and has been on the tour since 1989.