Stuart Appleby shoots a 59
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Stuart Appleby overturned an eight-stroke deficit to claim his first victory on the PGA Tour since 2006. But this was no ordinary eight-stroke come from behind victory (if that’s possible). Oh, no, this was far more special than that; he carded a final round 59.
A 59 is the magical score that all golfers crave, and very seldom achieve. In fact prior to Appleby’s win, just four players had ever recorded a 59 on the PGA Tour, and no one has ever achieved the feat on the European Tour.
Appleby needed just 23 putts, as he carded nine birdies and an eagle around the par-70 Old White Course; which included three consecutive birdies to finish. As his 12-foot putt snaked into the hole on the final green, the crowd erupted, but Appleby remained stoic, just as he had done throughout his entire round.
On his final putt, he said “I got a good look at it, went bang, and it felt good. I looked up, and it just looked like it knew where its home was, right in the middle”.
The moment was a huge relief for Appleby, who has been battling some inner demons on the golf course in recent years. Reflecting on his monumental achievement, he said: “It’s really changed my season. It’s given some valid weight to the time I’ve spent on the range frustrated, and there’s been plenty of that”.
In several years time when people reflect on the achievement, they might forget the course and they might even forget the tournament, but they certainly wont forget the man; Stuart Appleby – final round 59.