Tag: Record

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Asian Tour

Asian Tour: John Catlin sets Tour record with incredible round of 59

John Catlin's round of 59 secured him a place in the Asian Tour history books. (Photo: Getty)
John Catlin's round of 59 secured him a place in the Asian Tour history books. (Photo: Getty)

In the shadow of the legendary Players Championship on the PGA Tour, the Asian Tour is playing as part of the International Series Macau. Something historic happened in the third round of the tournament in China: John Catlin from the USA became the first player on the tour to play a round under 60 strokes and recorded the lowest score ever played on the Asian Tour with his round of 59.

Asian Tour: Catlin sets Tour record with ten birdies and an eagle

John Catlin got off to a strong start on the Asian Tour with 67-66 on the first two days. On the moving day, the US-American then caused pure amazement: after seven birdies on the first nine holes, an impressive round was already in the offing, which the 33-year-old completed fantastically on the back nine. Three more birdies took Catlin to the final hole, where he crowned his performance. An eagle on the 18th gave the American the first round of 59 ever played on the Asian Tour – a Tour record!

With 18 strokes under par after three rounds played, Catlin is currently deservedly in first place in the International Series Macau 2024. On Sunday, the US-American will try to defend his lead and crown his record round with the trophy. Catlin was the fourth player this year to break 60, following Joaquin Niemann at the LIV Golf Mayakoba and Cristobal Del Solar and Aldrich Potgieter on consecutive days at the Astara Golf Championship in Colombia on the Korn Ferry Tour. Catlin is a three-time winner on the DP World Tour whose dip in form sent him to the Asian Tour’s Q-School, where his career began. Catlin has won four titles on the Asian Tour.

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Korn Ferry Tour

Lowest round in PGA Tour history: Chilean plays 57

Christobal del Solar played the lowest round in PGA Tour history in Colombia with a 57. (Source: Getty, Twitter @KornFerryTour)
Christobal del Solar played the lowest round in PGA Tour history in Colombia with a 57. (Source: Getty, Twitter @KornFerryTour)

Until recently, the name Cristobal Del Solar may not have rung many bells, but now, it’s etched into golfing history. On Thursday, the Chilean golfer delivered a performance for the ages at the Astara Golf Championship on the Korn Ferry Tour. Del Solar crafted an astonishing 13-under-par round of 57 strokes at the Country Club de Bogota-Pacos in Colombia. With this feat, Del Solar became the first player ever to achieve a score of 57 in an event sanctioned by the PGA Tour.

Record round at a PGA Tour event

Del Solar set this record on an unusually short par-70 course spanning 5718 meters at an altitude of approximately 2700 meters. With six birdies and an eagle on the front nine, he set the pace early with a score of 27 strokes, tying the Korn Ferry record for the lowest nine-hole score. Continuing his impressive play on the back nine, the 30-year-old golfer secured three more birdies and another eagle. With four pars to conclude the round, he solidified his place in golfing history.

In a virtual press conference following his remarkable round, Del Solar emphasized the favorable conditions of the course. Leading the field by only four strokes, his longest iron into a green was merely a 6-iron, even on a par-5 hole. “The course was definitely set up to allow for a very low round,” commented Del Solar. “The pins were tucked, but the greens were so soft that I could hit the driver as close to the green as possible. And when you chip well, the ball stays close to the hole.” Despite his exceptional performance, Del Solar acknowledged room for improvement, particularly lamenting missed opportunities on the latter half of the course.

How good was the 57 really?

Prior to Del Solar’s outstanding achievement, only two players had shot a 58 in PGA Tour-sanctioned tournaments, both in 2016: Stephan Jaeger at the Ellie Mae Classic at TPC Stonebrae and Jim Furyk at the Travelers Championship. In total, twelve players have scored below 60 in PGA Tour-sanctioned events. Due to the course’s short length and the altitude, there were immediate debates questioning the significance of Del Solar’s round. Some argued that it was only the 27th best of all time, as one Twitter user pointed out.

Del Solar himself has a clear perspective on the matter: “Yes, the course is short, we’re playing at altitude, but you still have to be able to get it done. You still have to go out there and make birdies,” remarked the Chilean golfer, who broke the 60 mark for the first time in his career. “I’ve never broken 60 before,” Del Solar added. “The course I play at home (Dye’s Preserve in Jupiter, Florida) is really tough, and when I play really well there, I’m at seven or eight under, but never close to the 60 mark.” Despite the factors favoring a low score, the 57 stands as an impressive feat, sealed by Del Solar with a casual two-putt on the 18th green.