There has never been a sub-60 round on the European Tour.
Until Friday at the Portugal Masters and the first 59 ever in the tour’s long history belongs to Englishman Oliver Fisher.
There have been 19 rounds of 60 before Fisher’s breakthrough round at the Dom Pedro Golf Club’s Victoria course.
Fisher, a 30-year-old veteran with one win on the European Tour (2011 Czech Open), did it with 10 birdies and an eagle. His 10th birdie of the day that got him to the magic 12-under number on the par 71 layout came at the par five 17th where he holed a nervous four-footer.
After a perfect fairway-splitting drive at the home hole, he had a nervous moment when he pulled his wedge approach with water left of the green. But he found the putting surface, albeit nearly 40 feet away. He showed absolutely no nerves as he nearly holed his lag putt, leaving himself a 20-inch tap in for the first-ever 59 in the 46-year history of the tour. His nines were 28-31 and the 12-under round gave him the early 36-hole lead at 12 under.
“I got off to a good start with three straight birdies and kept it going,” Fisher said afterward as he was all smiles, delivering himself a late birthday present. He turned 30 last week.
“It (59) was in the back of my mind the final nine holes. It was fun, I just enjoyed it, cheers!”
Fisher can put himself in a great spot as he tries to make the Race To Dubai final event. He’s currently 72nd in those standings and is 287th in the Official World Golf Rankings. He’s also long-time friends with superstar Rory McIlroy.
