Thomas joins elite 59 club at Waialae
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JUSTIN Thomas became only the seventh player to break 60 on the PGA Tour, and the youngest in that elite club, with an 11-under-par display in the first round of the Sony Open in Hawaii on Thursday.
Just four days after clinching his third PGA Tour title at the SBS Tournament of Champions at Kapalua, the 23-year-old sank a 15-foot eagle putt on his final hole, the par-5 ninth, to card a 59.
The American, who set the tone for his memorable day at Waialae Country Club in Honolulu by eagling his opening hole, also carded eight birdies and a bogey to become the youngest member of the 59 club.
“I was in an unbelievable zone and very, very focused,” Thomas told Golf Channel after playing the opening round with good friends Daniel Berger and world No. 5 Jordan Spieth, who both carded 65s in ideal scoring conditions.
He finished the day with a three-shot lead over compatriot Hudson Swafford, who had nine birdies in an 8-under 62.
Asked to describe his thought process as he lined up his eagle putt on the final hole, Thomas replied: “I wasn’t thinking a lot. I was just really more focused on trying to make the putt. Obviously I knew what it meant if I made it.
“That was the first time I had a putt for 59 and I was like, ‘Well, who knows if this is going to happen again? I may as well try and knock it in.’ And I hit a great putt.”
Knowing he had to eagle the ninth to dip under 60, Thomas initially felt he squandered the opportunity when his tee shot found a fairway bunker. From there, however, he hit a stunning five-iron approach from 205 yards to 15 feet.
“I was so bummed on that tee shot,” he said. “But I got up there and I had a perfect lie ... and I just hit the perfect shot.”
Jim Furyk broke golf’s magic number when he shot a record 12-under 58 at the Travelers Championship last year.
Al Geiberger in 1977 was the first player to post 59 on the PGA Tour, followed by Chip Beck (1991), David Duval (1999), Paul Goydos (2010), Stuart Appleby (2010) and Furyk (2013).
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