50-year-old Sutherland shoots 13-under 59

American Kevin Sutherland has joined one of golf’s most exclusive clubs, firing a 59 on the Champions Tour.

The 50-year-old Sutherland was nine-under-par after just eight holes at En-Joie Golf Club in Endicott, New York.

And he finished with a 13-under 59 despite making a bogey on the last when he missed his six-footer for par.

Had he made the putt, he would have shot the first ever 58 in an event sanctioned by the US PGA Tour, which runs the Champions Tour for 50 and overs.

His round included 12 birdies, one eagle and one bogey.

Sutherland, whose only PGA Tour victory was at the 2002 World Golf Championships Match Play Championship, had seven birdies and an eagle in his first eight holes.

“When I was nine-under after eight, I was like that goes beyond being a good start,” Sutherland said. “At that point, I started thinking what do I have to do to shoot 59?

“So I started thinking maybe earlier than you should be, but it worked out all right.”

Sutherland’s second round of 59 gave him a 14-under total of 130 and a one shot lead from Steve Lowery.

Only six players have posted 59s on the US PGA Tour, the most recent Jim Furyk at the BMW Championship in Chicago last September.

In 2010, both Paul Goydos and Australian Stuart Appleby achieved the feat. David Duval, Chip Beck and Al Geiberger have also done it.

Prior to Saturday, Sutherland’s best round in competition was a 62 at the 2010 Canadian Open.

Many of the other players who had finished their rounds gathered to watch him finish.

“It blew me away,” Sutherland said.

“It’s emotional, really, to see those guys, the support you get out here.

“Who would have thought you’d bogey the last hole and still feel great?”

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