Three 59s in eight days have left the golf world wondering if the magic number is losing its luster. Brooks Koepka, who holds the Open's record for the lowest score, is now facing stiff competition.
The first of these sub-60 rounds was scored by Scott Stevens, who shot an 11-under 59 on July 24 in the first round of the PGA Tour Americas' Osprey Valley Open in Caledon, Ontario. This was followed by Michael Kim's dramatic birdie on the 18th hole to score 12-under 59 in the 3M Open, one day later. Then, on Friday, Korn Ferry Tour rookie Chris Francoeur completed the treble by firing 11-under 59 in the second round of the Utah Championship at Ogden Golf & Country Club.
The recent surge of 59s is remarkable, especially considering there were only three scored in the previous two seasons on the PGA Tour, and three on the KFT in 2025. Over the last 16 years, reaching 59 has become more common, with 11 players shooting the score since 2013. However, this season's trio of 59s has still managed to surprise the golfing world.
Francoeur's impressive round is a testament to his skills, particularly after he chipped in for eagle on his 14th hole to get to 10 under. He then went on to birdie the next hole but admitted the nerves may have gotten to him a bit after that. "I couldn't feel my hands on the last hole," Francoeur recalled with a grin.
This scorching run of 59s is remarkable, and to put it into perspective, there were only four 59s in 33 years before 2013. The all-time low score on the DP World Tour is the 13-under 57 shot by Cristobal Del Solar in the 2024 Astara Golf Championship in Colombia. On the PGA Tour, the record for the lowest score is held by Jim Furyk, who became the only man to go sub-60 twice, including his 12-under 58 in the Travelers Championship in 2016.
Francoeur's 59 has vaulted him into the lead with a 17-under total, three shots up on Mason Andersen and Kevin Dougherty, who each shot 63. This impressive performance has sparked questions about whether anyone can shoot 59 now, particularly after Francoeur's posts on X showed him making 14 birdies and a bogey to shoot 58 in a casual round in October 2022.
The 59 watch is far from over, and it will be interesting to see if anyone can break the record in the upcoming tournaments.
Source: Yahoo Sports