Mac Meissner, who was slated to miss the cut in Friday’s Lecom Suncoast Classic second round, had a lot on his plate.
He’s now in the record books after 18 holes.
Meissner shot a 12-under-59 in the second round of the Lakewood National Commander Course at Lakewood Ranch in Florida. This was the eighth round under 60 in Korn Ferry Tour’s history. He climbed more than 100 places up the leaderboard, and was just four shots behind the leader Kevin Daugherty at the end of the morning wave.
Meissner stated, “I didn’t expect the day to turn out as it did today based on yesterday.” “I didn’t putt well, nor did I hit the ball very well. I thought I would sneak into the cut, but I ended up shooting 59. I’m a bit stunned right now. It’s my very first time, and to be able to do it at a competition is quite insane.”
The LECOM Suncoast Classic is a historic event
Mac Meissner is the eighth Korn Ferry Tour shooter to achieve a round under 60. pic.twitter.com/AE5OQhHrRB
— Korn Ferry Tour April 21, 2020 HTML0
The 24-year old from Charleston, South Carolina lost in a play-off against Sam Saunders in Panama this year. His best round was a 67.
Saunders, in fact, was the last person on the Korn Ferry Tour to shoot 50s, and that happened in 2017 at Tour Championship.
He started his day on the back-nine, where he birdied three of his four last holes to finish at 5-under-30. Meissner began the back nine by paring two holes before birdieing three straight. After a par at 16, he birdied-eagled to finish the back nine with a score of 7-under-29 and a 59.
Meissner stated, “I have had some 61s and a 60 so I’ve been there before, but never had a 59.” It was great to make one on 18 or 9. “That was cool to have one on 18, or on 9.
Meissner and Chris Gotterup are tied for third place after the morning waves, both at 12 points under par.
Meissner is hoping to continue his momentum into Saturday.
He said: “Yesterday, I made two birds, didn’t — hit it to some fringes, felt like I wasn’t close enough, couldn’t get the ball right side of hole.” “I shot an average round here, even par. This just shows that every day is different. You never know what will happen when you wake up. “I’m super lucky to be able do this at a tournament.”
