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Breaking 60 becomes more common on pro golf circuit

By Brian Stensaas

August 4, 2016 at 5:53AM

Michael Bradley once shot a 59 on the Canadian Tour. He’s not surprised more and more pros have shot 60 and under. (The Minnesota Star Tribune)

Michael Bradley can still recall the final details from his stellar round 25 years ago.

"It was a 12- or 15-footer, behind the hole that had a pretty good left-to-right break to it," he said of the clinching putt.

But for Bradley, shooting 59 isn't a golf milestone anymore. It's just a number he's surprised hasn't been filed more often by professionals over the years.

And what the heck took so long for someone to sign for a 58 on a scorecard, anyway?

It might seem like a cocky line of thinking but Bradley, who in 1991 carded a 59 on the Canadian Tour, has seen players improve and play on courses exceptionally well-maintained in his long career.

So when he caught wind last week that Web.com Tour player Stephan Jaeger fired a cool 58 — the lowest score in a PGA Tour-sanctioned event — in the opening round of the Ellie Mae Classic in Hayward, Calif., Bradley's reaction was subdued.

"It does not surprise me in the least bit," said Bradley, who turned 50 in July and is making his second PGA Tour Champions start this week at the 3M Championship. "Golf is in a good place right now. There's been 60 shot a bunch. It's great playing but it really doesn't raise an eyebrow anymore. Guys are so good."

Six players have shot 59 on the PGA Tour. In 2014, Kevin Sutherland became the only player on the 50-and-over tour to shoot that number.

What would move the needle now?

"If someone would put a 55 or 54 up," Bradley said. "That would make me stop and go, 'Really?' "

Holding strong

Bart Bryant's family is hoping for good news this week. Bryant's wife, Cathy, was diagnosed with brain cancer on Mother's Day and is scheduled for her final radiation treatment Thursday.

Bart remains in the field for this weekend's 3M Championship and if all goes well, there is a chance she will join him next week for the U.S. Senior Open in Ohio.

"We're praying for a miracle and we hope the whole world is praying with us," said Bart's brother, Brad, also a Champions Tour player. "We have lots and lots of support, but this is a real tough thing. Bart is doing incredibly well and that's due to Cathy having an incredible attitude about everything."

Top tee times

There are three premier first-round groups set for late Friday morning off the No. 1 tee.

3M newcomer John Daly joins Rocco Mediate and Mark Calcavecchia at 11:40 a.m. They are followed by two-time 3M winner Bernhard Langer, Miguel Angel Jimenez and Mark O'Meara at 11:50 a.m., with two-time defending champion Kenny Perry, Minnesota native Tom Lehman and Colin Montgomerie at noon.

about the writer

Brian Stensaas

Multiplatform Editing Team Leader

Brian Stensaas has been with the Minnesota Star Tribune since 2004. He is a Multiplatform Editing Team Leader, with reporting experience covering high school sports, the NHL, NBA and professional golf.