European Tour record 59 could have been 58

LONDON: Englishman Oliver Fisher carded the first sub60 round in European Tour history with an incredible 12underpar 59 on day two of the Portugal Masters on Saturday.

The 30yearold even had a birdie putt on the 18th for a 58 which would have equalled the lowest round in professional golf.

He missed but completed his par to write his name in the European Tour record books.

Fisher bagged 10 birdies and an eagle without a single dropped shot as he soared to the top of the leaderboard.

Since the formation of the European Tour in 1972 there have been 19 rounds of 60.

‘‘It feels great,’’ said Fisher, whose opening round on the Dom Pedro Victoria Golf Course was a pedestrian levelpar 71.

‘‘It was fun. I tried to enjoy it and thankfully got over the line.’’

Despite his secondround heroics, Fisher shot a 69 yesterday to lie in a tie for fifth, five shots behind third round leader Lucas Herbert, of Australia.

Londonbased Fisher’s previous claim to fame on the European Tour was winning the Czech Open in 2011 — his only title.

While not unheard of, sub60 rounds are extremely rare in professional golf.

Al Geiberger was the first player to do it on the PGA Tour with a 13under 59 at the Memphis Classic in 1977 while Chip Beck also carded a 59 at the Las Vegas International in 1991.

Since David Duval also managed a 59 at the Bob Hope Classic 19 years ago there have been five more 59s and a PGA record 58 put together by 2018 US Ryder Cup captain Jim Furyk.

Furyk, who also has a 59 to his name, carded his 58 in 2016 at the Travelers Championship.

American Brandt Snedeker scored a 59 this year on the PGA Tour at the Wyndham Championship.