Wednesday 10 January 2018 14:40, UK
As Justin Thomas prepares for the defence of his Sony Open title this week, we reflect on the sensational 59 that set him up for a record-breaking victory at Waialae last year.
Just four days after winning the SBS Tournament of Champions on the neighbouring island of Maui, Thomas rolled in a 15-foot putt for eagle on the final hole of his opening round in Honolulu to break 60.
Thomas set the tone for his memorable day by pitching in for eagle at his opening hole - the 10th - and, despite a bogey at the 11th, he birdied eight of the next 10 holes to put him within touching distance of the magical 59.
And he achieved the landmark in style to become the youngest member of the 59 club on the PGA Tour, and he was only the second to break 60 with a final-hole eagle as he emulated David Duval at the Bob Hope Chrysler Classic in 1999.
"It was obviously a fun day," said Thomas. "I just kind of had it rolling out there. All my birdies were easy, it wasn't like I made any long putts or anything."
Thomas made a crucial par save from 10 feet at the eighth - his 17th - before finding a fairway bunker with his drive at the ninth, but he made good connection with a five-iron from the trap and backed up the shot with a perfect putt.
"That save on eight was huge," he added. "It gave me a chance because I knew if I hit a good drive on nine I was going to have a seven or eight-iron in. I missed carrying the bunker by six inches!
"I wasn't too nervous over the putt, I was just focused on making it. I got more excited from seeing them get excited than I did my putt going in."
Thomas went on to break another PGA Tour scoring record as he cruised to a seven-shot win over Justin Rose on 27 under par, and he was the first player since Ernie Els in 2003 to win back-to-back at Kapalua and Waialae.
Watch the video above to relive the best shots from Justin Thomas' stunning 59 at the 2017 Sony Open ...
