Sheesh, I step away from the computer for a few hours and something actually happens in the Quad Cities. Thank God I have so many vigilant friends that texted and/or emailed me with the breaking news. (LeBron who?) By now, you’ve all probably heard that Paul Goydos posted a mind-blowing 12-under 59 in the first round of the John Deere. But one thing most reports neglected to mention is that the “lift, clean and place” rule was in effect.
While a 59 is still an impressive score since, you know, it’s not like he could move the ball closer to the hole on the green and making putts played a pretty crucial role, it’s debatable whether Goydos’ round was “legitimate.” But he was playing within the rules. I’ll let the golf purists bicker this one out. What do I think? Eh, he played really well.
Even Goydos himself said he had an advantage (his entire presser is worth a read). “I got my ball in hand was a big benefit. I don’t shoot 59 without ball-in-hand, I don’t think.
“Yeah, that’s just a mythical number in our game. There’s been four I want to say. Two of them now have been when the ball is played up, myself and Mr. Geiberger. I don’t really know the circumstances of Chip Beck’s 59 in Las Vegas. To me, David Duval’s 59 stands out so far from every other one. He shot 59 the last day to win by one. That’s just an unbelievable feat that really isn’t talked about at the level it probably should be talked about.”
At least Duval is still ranked number one for something.
Well, hats off to Goydos for reaching the holy grail. 59! Even with ball in hand.
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Hmmm – lift clean and place…so you’re saying that most of the field will be shooting 63 and under today ?
I don’t think so.
It’s pretty cliche…not to mention weak…to disparage a score like a 59 with the excuse of lift clean and place. You’d think a competitive golfer would understand that.
If lift clean and place made it that easy – you’d see a lot more guys doing it. So far, Steve Stricker is the only one in the neighborhood.
Uh…. back the truck up there girl.. Lift clean and place???? I’m sorry. But there will not be, nor should there be an * next to that 59.
59 is 59 .. nuff said…
Great playing Mr Goydos !
Stricks in with a 60!
Ummm…… 59 was nice, but isn’t the bigger story here that a top 40 player was putting side-saddle?
KJ Choi is out there playing croquet and no one noticed it, a week before a major no less!
Read the comments…from PG. HE put the asterisk by it, not SW. Great round but it says something about the round when you almost have TWO 59′s on the same day. Still great round but these guys play different games in SO many ways than the rest of us. Do you think YOU would have played “lift clean and place” at your home course under those conditions? That golf course is in PERFECT condition…maybe I should play more LCP rounds.
Again, I KNOW I can’t play on the PGA Tour, I am well aware of my limitations, but to play LCP on that course is a joke.
The very fact that Goydos shoots 59 and only leads by 1 (nice round, Strick) should imply an asterisk on that round with regard to lift, clean and place. And the fact that the course must be playing pretty easy, setup-wise.
Don’t get me wrong, it’s still a great accomplishment, but one just needs to understand the context in which it occurred is nowhere near Duval’s magic number.
I still say nice 60. It’s a par 71. To me a 59 should only be acknowledged on a par 72. Impressive score nonetheless.
Why would a 59 only be impressive on a par 72 and not a par 71 or par 70 ? A par 72 course has 4 par 5′s. That’s four chances for an eagle. Goydos had 12 birdies and no eagles on a par 71 course…including birdies at 16, 17, and 18 – extra pressure when you’re staring at a possible 59.