Who shot the first 59 in PGA Tour history in 1977?

Al Geiberger shot the first 59 in PGA Tour history in 1977. He made the breakthrough during the second round of the Danny Thomas Memphis Classic at Colonial Country Club in Cordova, Tennessee.

Geiberger’s bogey-free round contained six pars, 11 birdies and an eagle for a 13-under-par 59. He began on the back nine, made a 40-foot birdie putt on his opening hole, and finished with an eight-foot birdie. His eagle came from a holed wedge shot.

The round was remarkable not only because of the score but also because it came in an official PGA Tour-sanctioned event. Geiberger went on to win the tournament, finishing at 15 under par and two strokes ahead of Gary Player and Jerry McGee.

Geiberger became known by the nickname “Mr. 59.” Paul Goydos, David Duval and Chip Beck also later shot 59s on the PGA Tour, but they were not the first. A score of 59 is one stroke below the more familiar 60 and requires extraordinary scoring over 18 holes.