World No. 236 beats Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy to ridiculous feat

Bombshell in Illinois: Unknown Golfer Stuns the PGA World

In a jaw-dropping turn of events at the John Deere Classic, World No. 236, Hayden Springer, etched his name into the annals of golf history with an awe-inspiring performance that left the golfing elite in his wake. Springer’s incredible feat has not only earned him a spot among the sport’s legends but also positioned him as a rising star to watch in the PGA Tour.

The Underdog’s Ascent

Hayden Springer, a 27-year-old golfer from Tennessee, shocked the world at TPC Deere Run in Illinois last weekend with a historic opening round. Entering the tournament with little fanfare, Springer’s performance quickly transformed him from an unknown contender to a household name. With a sub-60 round, he joined an elite club of only 14 players in PGA Tour history to achieve such a remarkable score.

A Round for the Ages

Springer’s journey to this achievement began when he earned his tour card through qualifying school in December. Little did he know that within a few months, he would produce one of the greatest rounds the sport has ever seen. His bogey-free round was punctuated by spectacular shots, including a 55-yard eagle on the 17th hole and a precise 12-foot putt for birdie on the final hole, culminating in an astonishing 59-shot round.

The Historic Performance

Springer’s historic round included six birdies and an eagle on the front nine, setting a blistering pace that had fans and commentators buzzing. As he navigated the back nine with five straight pars, anticipation built for what was to come. A late birdie and another eagle solidified his place in the history books, making him only the 14th player ever to shoot a sub-60 round on the PGA Tour.

“I’m at a loss for words at being able to do that, one of the rare things in golf. I’ve shot 61 a few times,” Springer shared, still reeling from the magnitude of his accomplishment. “I don’t even really have words. Like I’m still shaking a little bit. It’s like something you dream of, right? We all want to go out and shoot 59. You don’t ever really – I don’t know how many chances I’ll ever get at doing that again.”

Joining the Legends

Springer’s name now sits alongside some of the most revered golfers in history, such as Jim Furyk, Kevin Chappell, Brandt Snedeker, Adam Hadwin, Justin Thomas, Stuart Appleby, Paul Goydos, David Duval, Chip Beck, and Al Geiberger. Most recently, Scottie Scheffler achieved this milestone at TPC Boston in 2020. Notably, Jim Furyk is the only golfer to have shot sub-60 twice and holds the record for the lowest score of 58 on the PGA Tour, set in 2016.

Beyond the PGA Tour

The significance of Springer’s performance extends beyond the PGA Tour. U.S. Open champion Bryson DeChambeau replicated the sub-60 feat to clinch the LIV Golf Greenbrier title last year. Springer’s front nine score of 27 is the lowest nine-hole score on the tour since the turn of the millennium, underscoring the rarity and difficulty of his achievement.

A Close Call to Victory

While Springer’s opening round was nothing short of spectacular, converting his round one lead into a maiden career win proved elusive. Nevertheless, he added another top-10 finish to his growing list of accomplishments this year, ultimately finishing T7 with a total score of 21 under. Davis Thompson continued his ascent in the golfing world by winning the John Deere Classic by four shots, finishing 28 under, following his T9 finish in the U.S. Open last month.

A Star on the Rise

Hayden Springer’s performance at the John Deere Classic has left an indelible mark on the golfing world, showcasing the potential of a rising star. As he continues to compete and hone his skills, the golfing community eagerly anticipates more remarkable moments from this underdog turned history-maker. Will Springer’s stunning debut be the first of many legendary performances? Only time will tell.