GREER, S.C. — Michael Feagles made a 25-foot birdie putt on his final hole to shoot a 12-under-par 59 on Thursday in the first round of the Korn Ferry Tour's BMW Charity Pro-Am.
It was the ninth sub-60 score in the history of the PGA Tour's developmental circuit and the second this year; Mac Meissner's 59 came in the second round of the LECOM Suncoast Classic in April.
The lowest score in Korn Ferry Tour history is 58, shot by Chattanooga's Stephan Jaeger in the first round of the 2016 Ellie Mae Classic. The former Baylor School and University of Tennessee at Chattanooga standout from Germany currently competes on the PGA Tour.
Feagles began his round on the back nine at Thornblade Club, was at 6-under 30 as he made the turn, then closed with five consecutive birdies as he finished with 12 overall in the bogey-free round.
"Never really had a chance to shoot 59. That was like my first, like, real chance. So I'm 1-for-1," the 25-year-old former University of Illinois player said.
Feagles — a nephew of Jeff Feagles, who played 22 seasons as a punter in the NFL — turned pro in 2021, and his best finish this year is a tie for 25th at the Astara Chile Classic in April.
"I finally feel like I'm piecing it all together, and obviously I pieced it really well together today," said Feagles, whose 59 was good for only a two-shot lead, in relation to par, over David Skinns, who shot a 61 at Thornblade Club, and Josh Teater, who shot a 10-under 62 at Carolina Country Club.