Stuart Appleby Shoots 59 to Win Greenbrier Classic

Maybe shooting 59 is not as impressive as we once thought.  It's only the 5th time in PGA Tour history a player has shot 59 during a tournament.  The most recent, Paul Goydos shot 59 at the John Deere Classic in early July.

Image by Getty Images via @daylife

59 to Win a PGA Tour Event

Shooting 59 at any point is something special but to do it on a final round Sunday to win a tournament is remarkable.  When interviewed after the round Appleby said he knew he would need something like a 59 to win the tournament.  This gives Appleby his 9th career PGA Tour victory and his first win in four years. 

The last player to shoot 59 during a final round and win an event was none other than David Duval.  Duval shot 59 in during the final round of the 1999 Bob Hope Classic and walked away with a victory. 

59 on a Par 70 Course

Appleby does get one first in this category.  He is the first player to shoot 59 on a par 70 course.  Goydos shot his 59 on a par 71 course and the other three players to achieve history (Geiberger, Beck, and Duval) all shot theirs on a par 72 course. 

Does this make it less special?  Not in my mind.  59 is 59 but I'm sure some people will have a different opinion. 

When 59 Will No Longer be Special

As I mentioned above, this is only the 5th time in PGA Tour history a player has shot 59 but it doesn't mean this hasn't happened before.  It's actually the 4th time in 2010 players have shot 59 or better and several players have shot 60 this year on tour.  Goydos did this less than a month ago.

This leaves me asking the question, will 59 one day no longer be special?  Is it technology that's making this possible?  Are the players more fit than ever?  Is there so much information about course that the players can prepare better? 

I can't see the future but as of right now, this is still something special.

(Stuart Appleby scorecard from the Golf Channel Website)