Young West Australian Connor McKinney has shot the first 59 in Australia in nearly 20 years, tearing up the Warragul Country Club to storm into contention in the second round of the Challenger Tour's Gippsland Super 6.
Remarkably, the 22-year-old was sitting dangerously near the cut line halfway through his round, but came home with a nine-under 26 on his inward nine to post his 11-under round on the par-70 course.
Scottish-born McKinney came to the 18th needing an eagle to break 60. After a perfect drive to 12 feet, he coolly poured in the putt to post his much-coveted score.
“To match it altogether today and finish like I did, yeah, I’m pretty stoked with that," McKinney said.
It was the first 59 on the Challenger PGA Tour of Australasia, and the first in Australian professional golf since Brad McIntosh managed the feat at the Von Nida Tour's Queensland PGA at Emerald Lakes in 2005.
McKinney went to the midway point of the tournament in fourth place at 12 under, five off leader Ben Henkel, who shot a nine-under 61 but was still overshadowed.
Tim Hart and Corey Lamb are Henkel's closest challengers, tied for second at 14 under.
