Jim Furyk became the sixth professional golfer in PGA Tour history to shoot a 59 on Friday when he shot the magical number at the BMW Championship outside of Chicago, shooting -12 on the par-71 course.
Furyk dramatically birdied his final hole of the day, the par-4 ninth, to reach the milestone after sticking his approach shot within three feet of the pin. Furyk headed to the par-5 8th hole (his 17th) needing a birdie on one of the final two holes to card a 59 as the crowd and professional golfers gathered to potentially witness history.
Furyk parred his 17th hole after his approach shot missed the green and left him with an awkward pitch behind a wall of thick grass.
After the round, the stoic and reserved golfer said “things got kind of hectic” down the stretch. Furyk said he told himself before the final hole, “How many opportunities in your life are you going to have to this again?”
He said he wanted to “knock it in tight” and give himself a chance.
And he did.
“I”m excited,” Furyk said. “I’ll have to calm down later tonight.”
Furyk said he knows how special it is to shoot under 30 and under 60 and it definitely “played tricks with his mind” down the stretch.
“I think I’ll sleep pretty good,” Furyk said, noting the historical significance will not sink in for him until later.
After making eagle on his sixth hole, he was six-under for the first six holes. He then birdied two more holes on the front nine to shoot a 28 on the front nine. He made five birdies on his back nine and one bogey to card the -12. He is tied for the lead at -11 for the tournament after starting day at +1.
Furyk joins David Duval, Chip Beck, Al Geiberger, Paul Goydos, and Stuart Appleby as the only players to shoot a 59 in PGA Tour history.
Photo credit: Getty Images
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