John Daly shoots 19 on single hole at Sanford International, finishes opening round 18-over
The 59-year-old former major champion carded a 19 on the par-5 12th at Minnehaha Country Club, a career-high single-hole total, during the PGA Tour Champions event in Sioux Falls
John Daly recorded a 19 on a single hole during the first round of the Sanford International on Friday, a blowup that left the 59-year-old former major champion with an 88 and 18-over par for the day.
Daly reached the par-5 12th at Minnehaha Country Club in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, four over for the round, but the hole devolved into a marathon. After a tee shot into the rough, Daly hit seven consecutive shots out of bounds and also sent balls into the water and a wooded area left of the hole before finally getting his ball onto the green and holing his first putt to finish the hole with 19 strokes.
The 19-stroke tally on the par-5 12th is being reported as the highest single-hole total of Daly’s professional playing career, according to NBC Sports. On the PGA Tour main circuit, a 19 would tie for the second-highest single-hole score on record; Hans Merrell took 19 strokes on the 16th hole at Cypress Point during the 1959 Bing Crosby National Pro-Am, according to historical accounts.
Daly has previously recorded unusually high totals on individual holes during his career. His other notable single-hole scores include an 18 on the sixth hole at the 1998 Bay Hill Invitational, a 14 on the 18th at the 2000 U.S. Open at Pebble Beach, and a 13 on the fourth at the 2011 John Deere Classic. The PGA Tour’s worst single-hole score historically remains 23 strokes, recorded by Tommy Armour in 1927.
Daly’s day closed at 88 strokes, placing him well behind the leaders as the field moves to the second round. He began play at the PGA Tour Champions event seeking momentum in the senior circuit but will carry a 24-shot deficit into Saturday’s play.
The par-5 12th at Minnehaha Country Club features a long creek running along the left side of the fairway that forces aggressive players to hit over water to reach the green; course layout and conditions contributed to several errant shots during the hole. Tournament officials recorded Daly’s card as submitted, and scores were listed on the official leaderboard.
The Sanford International continues with the second round on Saturday, with Daly among the competitors attempting to make the cut and improve his standing through the weekend.