Springer lost for words after shooting 59 in John Deere

World number 236 Hayden Springer carded the PGA Tour’s second 59 inside a fortnight to take the early first-round lead on 12 under at the John Deere Classic in Illinois.

Twelve days after Cameron Young registered the 13th sub-60 round at the Travelers Championship, Springer, who only earned his tour card via qualifying school in December, added his name to the growing list after a superb front nine was matched by a remarkable finish.

An eagle and six birdies to the turn meant his 29 was a record for the front nine on the TPC Deere Run course and lowest since 2000 but criminally failing to take advantage of the par-five 10th was the first of five successive pars.

A 59 looked unlikely even after a birdie at the 15th but he holed out from 55 yards for an eagle at the par-five 17th and then nervelessly sank a 12-footer at the last for his place in the history books.

“I’m feeling good. I’m at a loss for words at being able to do that, one of the rare things in golf. I’ve shot 61 a few times,” said Springer, who prior to his joint-10th place finish at the Rocket Mortgage Classic on Sunday had missed six successive cuts.

“It’s been a little bit tough to find anything so it is special.”