The Pursuit of Perfection: The Lowest Rounds in Golf History

For the last 25 years, I’ve looked at more online leaderboards thousands of times. I wish I had a dollar for every time I hit the refresh button on a tournament or qualifier I was interested in covering or in which a friend was playing. 

On a late August day in my home office in San Diego, I was scanning the LPGA’s inaugural FM Championship leaderboard at TPC Boston. Haeran Ryu posted a perfect card for a second round of 10-under 62. TPC of Boston is no pushover, and surely I thought, this round might be the best of the year. 

But I couldn’t say that for a fact, and thought it would be a great time to look at the lowest rounds of all time. So let me break down these exceptional rounds for you, by gender, amateur status, and major championships, while also diving into the stories behind some of the most iconic rounds.

BEST OF ALL TIME - CASUAL ROUNDS INCLUDED

Before we break down the best-recorded tournament scores, I wanted to look at all scores, knowing that many of our readers won’t care about casual rounds of golf – we’re a golf tournament website after all. 

I think back to my time as a member of Sequoyah Country Club in Oakland, where Ben Hogan and other greats competed in the Oakland Open many years ago. (Hogan’s tires were slashed in his hotel parking lot before he won enough money to continue playing as a pro.) 

The pro there, Don Whitt, played the PGA Tour in the '50s and '60s. With two holes to play on the tricky par-70 layout, Whit was 12-under. His partner couldn’t resist making the cringeworthy statement any true golfer knows not to make.

“You know,” he mused, “If you par the last two holes, you’ll record the lowest score in golf history.” 

As if on command, Whitt bogeyed the last two holes for a 10-under 60, a Sequoyah course record that still stands today despite the advent of new equipment and 350-yard drives.

According to Guinness World Records, the lowest officially recorded round of golf is 55, a score achieved by Australian Rhein Gibson on May 12, 2012, at River Oaks Golf Club in Edmond, Oklahoma. Gibson's round included 12 birdies, two eagles, and a hole-in-one on a par-71 course measuring 6,850 yards. While it wasn't part of a formal tournament, his playing partners witnessed and attested to it. Gibson was a four-time NAIA All-American at Oklahoma Christian University who now plays on the Korn Ferry Tour.

MEN’S PROFESSIONAL GOLF

Al Geiberger: "Mr. 59"

Before Gibson's 55, the most iconic low round in golf belonged to Al Geiberger, who, on June 10, 1977, became the first player to break 60 in a PGA Tour event. Geiberger shot a 13-under 59 at Colonial Country Club in Cordova, Tennessee, a par-72 course measuring 7,249 yards during the second round of the Danny Thomas Memphis Classic. This historic round included 11 birdies and an eagle, with Geiberger famously sinking a 30-foot putt on the 18th green to secure his place in history. 

The achievement earned Geiberger the nickname "Mr. 59," a moniker that would stick with him for the rest of his life. He embraced the title, often signing golf balls with "Mr. 59" as a personal trademark. Geiberger's round was a breakthrough in golf, setting a benchmark that would inspire countless golfers to pursue similar feats. His legacy as "Mr. 59" is a testament to the enduring significance of that round and its impact on the sport.

WOMEN’S PROFESSIONAL GOLF

In women's golf, the lowest round recorded on a course with a par of at least 70 is 59, achieved by Annika Sörenstam during the 2001 Standard Register PING on the LPGA Tour. Sörenstam's round was a masterclass in precision and composure, with 13 birdies and no bogeys, setting a standard in women's golf that still resonates today.

Other notable performances include Jessica Korda's 60 at the 2021 Diamond Resorts Tournament of Champions and Linnea Ström's 60 at the 2024 ShopRite LPGA Classic. While these scores didn't break the 59 barrier, they are remarkable and reflect the growing depth of talent in women's golf.

AMATEUR GOLF

In amateur competition, the lowest round is a 57, achieved by multiple players in various tournaments. Bobby Wyatt's 57 at the 2010 Alabama Boys Junior Championship and Alex Ross's 57 at the 2019 Dogwood Invitational are standout performances that showcase the potential of golf's rising stars. These rounds, played under tournament conditions, stand tall among the best recorded scores on the professional side, especially the one shot by Ross at Atlanta’s Druid Hills Golf Club, at a 

MEN’S MAJORS
In the men's major championships, the lowest round recorded is 62, a score first achieved by Branden Grace at the 2017 Open Championship. This record has since been matched by several players, including Rickie Fowler and Xander Schauffele, who both shot 62 at the 2023 U.S. Open. Xander Schauffele became the first player to achieve this score twice in a major championship, with his second 62 coming at the 2024 PGA Championship.

These rounds, played on some of the most challenging courses in golf under immense pressure, are remarkable achievements that stand out even among the sport's greatest moments.

WOMEN’S MAJORS
The lowest round in women's major championships is 61, a record jointly held by Leona Maguire, Lee Jeong-eun, and Kim Hyo-joo, all at the Evian Championship. This score represents the pinnacle of performance in women's golf, with each player exhibiting incredible skill and mental toughness to achieve such a score on the sport's biggest stages.

Sources:

"Lowest rounds of golf." Wikipedia

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