Russell Knox shot a magical 59 in the Web.com Boise Open last Friday to join a very privileged group of tour pros who have broken the ‘60’ barrier.
The 28-year-old, Scottish professional had two eagles at eight birdies in his bogey-free round at the 6,807-yard, par-71 Hillcrest Country Club and faced a nervous seven-foot par putt on the last hole to break 60.
“I told myself I had no choice but to make this putt,” Knox said. “Missing wasn’t an option. I’d convinced myself that I’d already made it. It was right in the middle. Never in doubt.”
That putt sealed his amazing round, which included a stretch where he was 11-under for 11 holes.
Starting on the back nine, he began the run with a birdie on No. 15, made a 12-foot eagle putt on the par-5 16th and birdied No. 17. After pars on Nos. 18 and 1, he holed a 50-foot eagle putt on the par-5 second and birdied the next five holes.
“Obviously, no one can ever take this round away from me. But I came here to win a tournament, not shoot 59. It’s a nice bonus, and it’d sure be nice to do both,” he said after his record-breaking round gave him the lead.
Knox, who has spent this season playing on both the Web.com and PGA tours, ended up tied for 12th position after rounds of 68, 59, 68, 69.
Japan’s Ryo Ishikawa has the lowest round on a major tour, shooting a 12-under 58 to win the 2010 Crowns on the Japan Tour.
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