Hayden Springer used an unlikely eagle-birdie finish to shoot a 12-under 59 to open the John Deere Classic on Thursday, marking the 14th sub-60 round in PGA Tour history.
Springer fired an 8-under 27 on the front nine at TPC Deere Run – the lowest nine-hole score on tour since 2000 – then went quiet for several holes. He was 9 under through 16 holes when he holed out from the rough for eagle at the par-5 17th.
That put him one birdie away from the elusive 59. He found the center of the 18th fairway, put his second shot about 12 1/2 feet from the pin and drained the putt center-cup.
It marked the second 59 on tour in the span of three weeks after nobody had shot sub-60 since 2020. Cameron Young posted a 59 in the third round of the Travelers Championship.
Springer, 27, is ranked No. 236 in the world and has never won on the PGA Tour. He turned pro in 2019. After losing his card, he earned his way back on tour via Q-school last December.
Springer led Englishman Harry Hall by four shots as of 1:45 p.m. local time in Silvis, Ill.
–Field Level Media
