Hayden Springer, a PGA Tour rookie, had an explosive start on the 4th of July, shooting 59 in the first round of the John Deere Classic at TPC Deere Run in Silvis, Illinois. This remarkable achievement made him the second player in three weeks to shoot 59 on the PGA Tour and the 14th player in Tour history to shoot a sub-60 round. Springer described this achievement as a dream come true, mentioning that shooting 59 is something all golfers aspire to do but do not often get the chance to accomplish.
Springer’s 59 was four strokes better than Harry Hall’s bogey-free 63 and Kevin Chappell and Hayden Buckley’s scores. The wet conditions at TPC Deere Run led to preferred lies being in effect, creating ideal circumstances for low scores on a course known for its birdie-friendly nature. Springer excelled on the front nine, shooting 27 and making an impressive 13-foot eagle at the second hole followed by four consecutive birdies, showcasing his putting prowess.
As Springer continued his dominant performance on the front nine, sinking virtually every putt he looked at, he began to ponder how low he could go. Despite making par on the first five holes of the back nine, including working hard for it on holes 12 and 14 to maintain a clean scorecard, he managed to add another birdie at 15. However, it was his hole-out eagle from 55 yards at 17 that propelled him towards his historic round of 59, giving him the confidence that he could achieve the remarkable feat.
Springer’s spectacular finish came on the 18th hole, where he stuck his approach to 13 feet and sank the putt to post a score of 59, tying the course record set by Paul Goydos in 2010. This achievement places Springer in an exclusive club of golfers who have shot 59 or better in PGA Tour history, with the frequency of such rounds increasing in recent years. Springer’s previous struggles, having missed seven of eight cuts prior to his T-10 finish at the Rocket Mortgage Classic, were attributed to adjustments made with his long-time coach Rosey Bartlett at Trophy Club Country Club near Dallas.
After taking a break from working with Bartlett for a couple of years, Springer sought her guidance again before his recent success, focusing on correcting his setup to improve his performance. By revisiting techniques that had worked well for him in the past, Springer was able to make significant improvements to his game, leading to his exceptional round of 59 at the John Deere Classic. His remarkable achievement serves as a testament to his dedication, skill, and perseverance as a professional golfer, marking a significant milestone in his burgeoning career on the PGA Tour.
