In a dazzling display of skill and composure, Hayden Springer etched his name into the annals of PGA Tour history by posting a 12-under 59 during the first round of the John Deere Classic. This remarkable feat marks only the 14th sub-60 round ever recorded on the tour.
Springer's round began with a promising eagle on the par-5 second hole, followed by a scorching series of six birdies across the next seven holes, setting a new tournament record with a front nine score of 27 at the TPC Deere Run. As the round progressed, his momentum seemed to wane with six consecutive pars, potentially stalling his march towards history.
However, Springer’s resilience shone through as he rallied with a stunning finish. On the par-5 17th, he holed out for eagle from 55 yards, reigniting his bid for a sub-60 round. The defining moment came at the 18th hole, where he sank a 12-foot birdie putt, cementing his place in the record books with an emphatic fist pump.
Springer’s achievement draws parallels with the legendary 59 posted by Paul Goydos at the same venue in 2010. Both rounds benefited from the rain-softened conditions, allowing players to employ lift-clean-and-place rules. Yet, unlike Goydos, who made his mark on the back nine, Springer dominated the front.
This season has seen an extraordinary run of low scores, with Cameron Young also shooting a 59 at the Travelers Championship just three weeks prior. The record for the lowest round in PGA Tour history remains Jim Furyk’s 58 at the 2016 Travelers Championship, a milestone of golfing excellence.
Springer’s round joins an exclusive club of 13 other players who have carded a 59, showcasing the pinnacle of precision and pressure-handling in the sport. His performance not only sets the pace for the John Deere Classic but also underscores the thrilling unpredictability and excitement that golf can deliver.
As the tournament progresses, all eyes will be on Springer to see if he can sustain this extraordinary level of play. His historic round has undoubtedly set a high bar and added a significant chapter to the rich tapestry of PGA Tour lore.
Sub-60 Rounds in PGA Tour History:
58 on Tour
- Jim Furyk
- Score: 27-31
- Course: TPC River Highlands (par 70)
- Event: 2016 Travelers Championship
- Round: Final
- Finish: T5
- Comment: One eagle, 10 birdies. Hole-out eagle on the par-4 third hole. Made seven consecutive birdies on Nos. 6-12.
59s on Tour
- Hayden Springer
- Score: 27-32
- Course: TPC Deere Run
- Event: 2024 John Deere Classic
- Round: First
- Finish: TBD
- Comment: Holed out from 55 yards on No. 17 to give himself a chance, then buried a 12-foot birdie putt on the final hole.
- Cameron Young
- Score: 28-31
- Course: TPC River Highlands
- Event: 2024 Travelers Championship
- Round: Third
- Finish: T9
- Comment: Two eagles, including a 142-yard eagle hole-out, with 9-foot par putt on 18th to seal the deal.
- Scottie Scheffler
- Score: 30-29
- Course: TPC Boston
- Event: 2020 THE NORTHERN TRUST
- Round: Second
- Finish: T4
- Comment: Had six birdies on both sides to become the second player to card a 59 in the FedExCup Playoffs.
- Kevin Chappell
- Score: 28-31
- Course: Old White TPC
- Event: 2019 A Military Tribute at The Greenbrier
- Round: Second
- Finish: T47
- Comment: Tied the PGA TOUR record with nine consecutive birdies after starting the day with a par on No. 10. Made 11 birdies in total and didn't card a bogey.
- Brandt Snedeker
- Score: 32-27
- Course: Sedgefield CC (par 70)
- Event: 2018 Wyndham Championship
- Round: First
- Finish: Won
- Comment: Ten birdies, one eagle, one bogey. Started on back nine. Only the third time in TOUR history a player has shot a sub-60 score with a bogey.
- Adam Hadwin
- Score: 29-30
- Course: La Quinta CC (par 72)
- Event: 2017 CareerBuilder Challenge
- Round: Third
- Finish: 2nd
- Comment: Thirteen birdies. Made six consecutive birdies on the front nine and five straight on the back nine. Made a 4-foot par putt on the 18th hole.
- Justin Thomas
- Score: 29-30
- Course: Waialae CC (par 70)
- Event: 2017 Sony Open
- Round: First
- Finish: Won
- Comment: Two eagles, eight birdies, one bogey. Made a 14-foot, 11-inch eagle putt on the ninth hole. Won by seven strokes.
- Jim Furyk
- Score: 28-31
- Course: Conway Farms GC (par 71)
- Event: 2013 BMW Championship
- Round: Second
- Finish: 3rd
- Comment: One eagle, 11 birdies, one bogey. Made a 3-foot, 3-inch birdie putt on the ninth hole.
- Stuart Appleby
- Score: 28-31
- Course: TPC Old White (par 70)
- Event: 2010 Greenbrier Classic
- Round: Final
- Finish: Won
- Comment: One eagle, nine birdies. Made 11-foot birdie putt on the 18th to win by one.
- Paul Goydos
- Score: 31-28
- Course: TPC Deere Run (par 70)
- Event: 2010 John Deere Classic
- Round: First
- Finish: 2nd
- Comment: Twelve birdies. Made 7-foot putt birdie putt on the 18th hole.
- David Duval
- Score: 31-28
- Course: PGA West Palmer Course (par 72)
- Event: 1999 Bob Hope Chrysler Classic
- Round: Final
- Finish: Won
- Comment: One eagle, 11 birdies. Made 6-foot eagle on 18th hole. Won by a stroke.
- Chip Beck
- Score: 30-29
- Course: Sunrise GC (par 72)
- Event: 1991 Las Vegas Invitational
- Round: Third
- Finish: T3
- Comment: Thirteen birdies. Began on back nine. Birdied his last three holes, including a 3-footer on the ninth hole.
- Al Geiberger
- Score: 29-30
- Course: Colonial CC (par 72)
- Event: 1977 Memphis Classic
- Round: Second
- Finish: Won
- Comment: One eagle, 11 birdies. Began on back nine, made an 8-foot birdie putt on the ninth hole.
