Read more: Why the Best Players are Teed Up at the 2024 John Deere Classic

It was a record-breaking day at the John Deere Classic as journeyman pro Hayden Springer carded the 14th sub-60 round in PGA Tour history with a scintillating 59 in the first round on Thursday.

Playing in just his 19th PGA Tour start, the 27-year-old Springer blitzed the TPC Deere Run course in Silvis, Illinois, finishing an amazing 12-under par 59 on the par-71 course. He did so in remarkable fashion, opening his round with an eagle and four consecutive birdies on the opening six holes.

2️⃣ eagles
8️⃣ birdies
8️⃣ pars

Welcome to the 59 club, Hayden Springer 👏 pic.twitter.com/XBPyKcKbcj

— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) July 4, 2024

After making the turn at a blistering 8-under 27, Springer made five straight pars to stall his charge. But he kept his round alive with a clutch 18-foot birdie putt on the 15th hole. That set the stage for two moments of magic down the stretch.

On the par-5 17th, Springer holed out from 55 yards with a pitching wedge for an unexpected eagle. Then, needing birdie to shoot 59, he drilled his approach to 12 feet on the par-4 18th and calmly sank the putt to complete the score of a lifetime.

“I didn't ever think I would make that shot really, but it kind of changed the momentum to actually be able to go shoot 59,” Springer said.

FIREWORKS on the 4th of July! 🎆

Hayden Springer sinks the 12-footer for a 59 @JDClassic. pic.twitter.com/cPYNgPneKB

— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) July 4, 2024

It's an incredible accomplishment for Springer, who has endured great personal tragedy after losing his young daughter Sage to a genetic disorder last year. He used that adversity to earn his PGA Tour card through Q-School last fall.

“I don't know,” he said. “We've had some challenging things happen. … But at the end of the day I also want to compete and I love doing that. I think that that drives me to want to make that putt or want to shoot low scores more than anything."

Now Springer finds himself with the early lead at a tournament he'll never forget. His 59 matched scores by legends like Jim Furyk and David Duval, cementing his place in PGA Tour history books. At a time of grief, Springer was able to experience unimaginable joy through the game he loves.

Stacy Revere/Getty Images

Springer holds a two-shot lead over Finland's Sami Valimaki heading into Friday's second round. He'll aim to continue his magical run and claim a life-changing PGA Tour victory after reaching the pinnacle with one of the great rounds the game of golf has ever seen.

Which other players have shot a 59 in PGA Tour history

Jim Furyk - 2013 BMW Championship (second round)

Al Geiberger - 1977 Memphis Classic (second round)

Chip Beck - 1991 Las Vegas Invitational (third round)

David Duval - 1999 Bob Hope Invitational (final round)

Paul Goydos - 2010 John Deere Classic (first round)

Stuart Appleby - 2010 Greenbrier Classic (final round)

Justin Thomas - 2017 Sony Open in Hawaii (first round)

Adam Hadwin - 2017 CareerBuilder Challenge (third round)

Brandt Snedeker - 2018 Wyndham Championship (first round)

Kevin Chappell - 2019 Military Tribute at Greenbrier (second round)

Scottie Scheffler - 2020 The Northern Trust (second round)

Cameron Young - 2024 Travelers Championship (third round)

How does Springer's 59 compare to other historic rounds in PGA Tour history

Hayden Springer had one heck of a opening round at the John Deere Classic! He went out and shot a 59 - that's right, 59 strokes - to join a very exclusive club. Only 14 guys have ever broken 60 on tour and now Springer's name is up there with them. One of those players is Paul Goydos, who also shot 59 at TPC Deere Run back in 2010. Can you believe Springer carded an eagle from 55 yards on 17 and sank a beauty of a 12-footer for birdie on 18 to finish 12-under? Crazy round earned him a two shot lead after day one over fellow rookie Sami Valimaki.

While 59s used to be almost unimaginable, they're becoming a little less rare these days. But what makes Springer's day even more amazing is he did it just months after losing his baby daughter. Talk about mental strength, right? His round just adds to others who have dipped under 60 lately. Shows how good these players are getting and how the standards keep rising. But as we've seen before, breaking 60 is no guarantee you'll win. To take home his first PGA Tour trophy in just his 19th event, Springer is gonna have to keep up this incredible play over the weekend. Gonna be sweet to watch!

Hole-out eagle on 17 to move to 11-under 🔥

Hayden Springer needs a birdie at the last to shoot a 59 @JDClassic! pic.twitter.com/BngRdASLkI

— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) July 4, 2024

References: https://www.golfdigest.com/story/john-deere-classic-hayden-springer-shoots-59

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