Hayden Springer shot a 12-under 59 in the first round of the John Deere Classic, becoming just the 14th player on the PGA Tour to shoot a round under 60.
Springer recorded eight birdies and two eagles, breaking the 60 barrier with his final birdie, holing it in from just outside the final green from 12 feet.
He heads into Friday’s round two strokes behind Sami Valimaki of Finland, who had 11 birdies in a round of 61. Eric Cole is close behind in third at nine-under 62, with England’s Harry Hall a further stroke back at eight under.
Springer shot 8-under 27 through the first nine holes at TPC Deere Run, the lowest nine-hole score on tour since 2000, but then he was quiet for the next few holes. He was 9 under after 16 holes before making an eagle out of the rough on the par-5 17th hole.
That put the 27-year-old American one birdie away from an inescapable 59. He found the center of the 18th fairway, hit his second shot about 12 feet from the pin and sank the putt.
His feat came less than two weeks after Cam Young shot 59 at the Travelers Championship, the first to do so since 2020. Jim Furyk holds the PGA Tour record with a 58 at the 2016 Travelers Championship, but he is also one of the many players who have shot 59, including Scottie Scheffler, Kevin Chappell, Brandt Snedeker, Adam Hadwin, Justin Thomas, Stuart Appleby, Paul Goydos, David Duval, Chip Beck and Al Geiberger.
“It feels great. I can’t even put into words how excited I am to be able to do this,” Springer said after signing.
“That’s something that doesn’t happen often in golf, so to get the opportunity and be able to do it is pretty special.”
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Springer struggled to contain his emotions after shooting a historic 59 in the first round of the John Deere Classic.
“It’s special to be able to do that. I played well last week, but it was a little tough to find something, get things going and get some low scores.”
“It’s special. It feels good to stand here and have a good round of golf.”
“I really didn’t think I’d get that shot. [on 17] But I did, and it changed the momentum.”
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Highlights from Day One of the John Deere Classic in Silvis, Illinois
Springer has missed the cut in seven of his past nine qualifying attempts but finished 10th at last week’s Rocket Mortgage Classic.
He is ranked 236th in the world and has never won on the PGA Tour. He turned professional in 2019 but returned to the tour at Qualifying School last December after losing his pro card.
Valimaki’s 61 was the lowest score of his PGA Tour career, but he still looks up to Springer.
“I think I actually saw him on the seventh hole,” Valimaki said. “I thought, OK, I need to hit it lower. I didn’t catch it very well, but it was still a good round.”
Cole remained bogey-free with nine birdies. The 36-year-old Cole, like the two players before him, is still searching for his first PGA Tour victory.
“The scores at this tournament have been pretty low historically,” Cole said, “so whether I shoot 61 or 59, it doesn’t really make a huge difference strategically. I’m still trying to hit good shots and get as many birdie opportunities as I can.”
Tied for fourth at eight-under 63 are Davis Thompson, England’s Hall, Chan Kim and Luke Clanton, an amateur golfer from Florida State University who finished tied for 10th at last week’s Rocket Mortgage Classic. Many players also shot 64, including Denny McCarthy, Ireland’s Seamus Power and Lucas Glover, who won the 2021 John Deere Classic.
Jordan Spieth shot a mediocre 2-under 69, not finishing outside the top 65 and in danger of missing the cut.
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Friday, July 5th, 5pm
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