Philip Barbaree Jr., Brett White, and A.J. Ewart each made headlines this year by shooting 59 on the PGA Tour Americas. Even more exciting than their remarkable performances was a trend revealed by the U.S. Open’s historic weekend. Just in 2023, players have shot eight rounds of 59 in different PGA Tour events. Impressively, Chatfield was able to accomplish this amazing feat – making it an even more special milestone in Chatfield’s professional golfing career.
The 26-year-old golfer from Rancho Santa Fe, Calif., shot a 7-under-par 64 round at The Patriot Golf Club. He won by two shots over Zecheng Dou, who shot 61. Chatfield’s last five holes were a thing of beauty and ice-water-veined execution, with his final stretch conquered in a dazzling 6-under par. This performance was the perfect vehicle to display his astounding talent. It played a role in the historic amount of low scores logged this year.
With Chatfield’s achievement it’s the 16th time a score of 59 or better has been recorded on the Korn Ferry Tour. He now becomes one of an incredible list of players to have crossed this milestone. Tied along with them are Myles Creighton and Adrien Dumont de Chassart — both of whom shot 59 at the Wichita Open earlier this year. Such low scores are not all that uncommon in pro golf these days. More than anything, this trend reflects that more players are simply more capable of putting together these incredible rounds.
Or the new 59 fire Jake Knapp at the Cognizant Classic, the PGA Tour’s central IQ test. At the same time, Sebastián Muñoz was doing the same thing at LIV Golf Indianapolis. Because the increasing occurrence of these scores raises questions about the evolution of the game of golf and how more competitive it’s becoming. Players are stretching the boundaries of what’s possible on the course every day.
The PGA Tour Americas has witnessed three rounds of 59 this year alone, showcasing the depth of talent within the circuit. Each player that pulls this feat off demonstrates an extraordinary level of talent. They exemplify the grit and determination required to perform at their best when the pressure is on.
As the season progresses, fans and analysts alike will be keeping a close eye on these talented athletes and their potential for further record-breaking performances. Despite every low score, they keep proving that they are pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in professional golf and paving the way for future generations of stars.
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