Snedeker shoots 59 to open PGA stop in Greensboro
Welcome to the 59 club, Brandt Snedeker.
Snedeker, a Nashville native and former Vanderbilt standout, shot 11-under 59 Thursday in the first round of the Wyndham Championship thanks to a 20-foot birdie putt on No. 9, his final hole of the day at Sedgefield Country Club in Greensboro, N.C.
It’s the 10th sub-60 round in Tour history and first since Adam Hadwin shot 59 at last year’s CareerBuilder Challenge in January. Jim Furyk is the only player to do so twice and has the lowest round in history with a 58.
"I better be smiling," Snedeker said. "I don't do this every day."
Snedeker teed off on No. 10 and shot an inconspicuous 3-under 32 over his first nine holes, which included an opening bogey. He tore it up down the stretch with an 8-under 27 over his last nine holes, with six birdies and a 176yard eagle hole-out at the par-4 6th.
"To know what you're trying to do and step up and have a 20-footer (on the final hole) and know what it means, I was very aware of what was going on, and to knock that putt in was really special," Snedeker said. "To know I'm a part of a small club on tour and not very many people have done this, really cool feeling right now."
He’s the first player ever to break 60 after starting with a bogey.
Snedeker has had a down year by his standards and entered the week 80th in the FedEx Cup standings.
"Nobody could see this coming — trust me," Snedeker said. "As much as I tried to positive self-talk myself into playing good, I didn't see 59 coming today, to be honest with you . ... Luckily, it kind of clicked all day today, and hopefully it will keep clicking for the next three days."
Snedeker missed much of the 2017 season with injury but has been healthy so far this year, with three top-10 finishes and a T-3 at last month’s Military Tribute at the Greenbrier.
Snedeker last won in 2016 at Torrey Pines and currently holds a 5-shot lead over the field in Greensboro.
Contributing: Associated Press