Which of Golf's 59s was the Best?

[mvmac]

My problem with Duval is that the final round notwithstanding, it was just such an easy course.  The eagle on the last was a helluva finish though!

Well that's why I agree with you about Geiberger

Amazing what goes for an "easy" course on the PGA Tour. I walked it earlier this year and there are a lot of tough shots, you can't just hit it anywhere and be fine. I think what makes it so scorable for the pros is the perfect weather, like playing in a dome.

[Gunther]

Well that's why I agree with you about Geiberger ;-)

My problem with Al's is that it was played under lift, clean, place rules. I don't believe course records count under such conditions which takes it down the list for me. Same reason I can't list Annika's as 1, she played from the up tees which I also don't believe count for course records. Or, am I wrong on that?

[mvmac]

My problem with Al's is that it was played under lift, clean, place rules. I don't believe course records count under such conditions which takes it down the list for me. Same reason I can't list Annika's as 1, she played from the up tees which I also don't believe count for course records. Or, am I wrong on that?

Geiberger says he didn't remember taking advantage of LCP.

[Crim]

Duval.

1. Ball striking masterpiece.

2. Won the tournament with eagle on last hole.

3. It wasn't just a random good round, it was Duval in his prime. (He was #1 in the world at the time, correct?)

[MEfree]

I just voted for Geiberger as there were fewer lower scores the day he shot his 59 (1 65 and nobody else below 67) giving him the best "z-score" of all time on the PGA Tour http://grantland.com/the-triangle/where-does-jim-furyks-59-rank/ Being first and way better than anyone else that day gives him the nod over Duval (but only by a small margin for the reasons stated above).

[mvmac]

It wasn't just a random good round, it was Duval in his prime. (He was #1 in the world at the time, correct?)

He became #1 in April of that year

[Deryck Griffith]

Honestly, we are splitting hairs as they are all pretty incredible and it's difficult to accurately determine which one is better.  That said, if I had to choose one it would be Furyk and him for these reasons:

• The course was playing extremely hard that day and there wasn't anyone close to him.
• The course was new for him and the players as Conway Farms wasn't on the PGA Tour rotation prior to that tournament.  So, prior "information" on the course; green speeds, green reads, shot lines, etc had to be learned that week and wasn't drawn from past experiences.
• Many players mentioned that day mentioned how blown away they were that Jim shot that score and many mentioned that he must've been playing a different course.
• He had a bogey on the front nine (IIRC, it was an unforced error meaning 58 was possible) and shot 28 on the par 36 back nine with a birdie on 18 to seal the 59.

[mchepp]

I voted for Duval's selfishly because I got to watch it whilst he shot it. I was watching the broadcast and he just kept hunting flag sticks.

[tristanhilton85]

I think I have to go with Duval... The fact that it was in the final round to come back and win a tournament coupled with great ball striking and an eagle finish gives it to him in my opinion.

[MS256]

All impressive.

The -13s more impressive.

My order:

1. Al Geiberger (mostly because he was first and the equipment he was using)

2. David Duval

3. Annika Sorenstam

4. Jim Furyk

[sweeper1]

I voted for Al because his is the only one where real golf equipment was used, on a course  that play's in excess of the listed 7,200+ yards and on a day with the temp. above 100 degrees.

sweeper

[Hammer 4]

I voted for Al because his is the only one where real golf equipment was used, on a course  that play's in excess of the listed 7,200+ yards and on a day with the temp. above 100 degrees.

sweeper

Exactly why I voted for Al...

[jclark]

I voted for "most impressive" which to me is Anika. She is the ONLY female to do this. We have 6 males accomplish this but Anika stands alone in this regard. Watching ANYONE shoot 59 is amazing.