Teenage sensation Ryo Ishikawa recorded the first-ever round of 58 on a major tour to win The Crowns tournament in Nagoya.
Japanese sensation shoots lowest round on major tour
Teenage sensation Ryo Ishikawa recorded the first-ever round of 58 on a major tour to win The Crowns tournament in Nagoya.
The 18-year-old began the final round six shots off the lead but ended up winning by five to record a seventh Japan Tour success.
"I always dreamed of getting a score like this but didn't think I would do it so fast," Ishikawa said. "It hasn't really sunk in yet, but I'm sure it will after a few days."
After opening with scores of 68, 70 and 71, Ishikawa - who missed the cut at last month's Masters by one shot - birdied five of the first six holes before reaching the turn in 28 at the par-70 venue.
He began the back nine in similar vein and another hat-trick of birdies from the 14th meant he could afford a par, bogey finish to break 60, but two pars saw him record the first 58.
David Duval was the last player to break 60 on the PGA Tour in 1999, one of three to do so in America, while 60 remains the lowest score on the European circuit and has been achieved 14 times.
"I got off to a good start for the first time in four rounds, so I told myself not to give up for the title until the end," Ishikawa said.
"To my surprise, I found myself making this many birdies. I was in a calm mental state for all 58 strokes."
Ironically, overnight leader Shigeki Maruyama has also recorded a round of 58 in a US Open qualifying event.
