Question of the week [March 3-9]: Jake Knapp shot a 59 in the Cognizant Classic's opening round on Feb. 27 to become the 14th player in PGA Tour history to post a sub-60 round — and third in the past nine months. Is shooting 59 as significant today as it was when Al Geiberger was the first reported PGA Tour player to achieve the feat in 1977?
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Because of the equipment and course conditions it doesn’t feel as impressive as it did in those days. Still a tremendous feat, it's challenged nearly weekly these days on Tour. Someone shoots 6- to 9-under par almost on a daily basis now.
These guys are big and strong and impressive, but in regards to shotmaking, etc., I admire the players from the 1950s, '60s and '70s more.
Lee Danielian
Port St Lucie, Florida
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I do not think shooting a 59 today carries the same significance as it did back when Al Geiberger did it. The tremendous improvement in clubs and golf balls, added to much better course conditions, gives an advantage to today's players.
Bob Norris
Cincinnati, Ohio
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For starters, the golf ball and the clubs are not the same. I'm not sure the course length and slope rating are equal or rated the same. But at the end of the day, is a 59 a bad score?
Christopher Gates
Medina, Ohio
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Absolutely not. The equipment is totally different. Golf is the only sport that I know that’s constantly juicing the equipment. Back then I don’t believe anybody hit 300-yard drives. Today, they are hitting 300-plus and using an iron going into a par 5. That alone is an extra four strokes a round advantage for today’s players.
Robert Floresca Sr.
Wilmington, North Carolina
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Yes, shooting 59 is still a big deal. Courses are longer or harder, competition is fierce and short-game nerves are still more important than new equipment. Although, the new zero torque putters might save a stroke per round for the good PGA Tour or LIV Golf pros.
Donn Rutkoff
Oceanside, California
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Front: Jake Knapp on the first tee during the 2024 Masters' opening round.
Photo: Fran Caffrey / Golffile