Scottish-Born Aussie Shoots First ‘Down Under’ 59 In Near 20-Years

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Scottish-born Aussie golfer Connor McKinney has brilliantly posted the first 59 in Australia in nearly 20 years and in the process storming his way into contention in teh second round of the Challenger Tour’s Gippsland Super 6 on the Warragul Country Club club in Victoria.

McKinney, 22 teed-up on day two thinking more about making the halfway cut and in starting from the 10th, he birdied his second and third holes before unleashing the fireworks over his inward half starting with a birdie on his 10th and then posting seven birdies in succession from his third hole before coming to his last of the round.

The Perth golfer, who moved to Australia with his Scottish parents when aged 12, teed-up at the short 278-yard par-4 ninth, rated 18 index on the scorecard and knowing he needed an eagle ‘2’ to break 60 and McKinney did just that landing his drive to just 12-feet from the flag and calmly rolled-in the sub-60 putt.

“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 lefty Brad McIntosh became the first in posting

Wollongong left-hander Brad McIntosh has become the first golfer to break 60 when the Wollongong lefty shot a 12-under par 59 at Emerald Lakes in the second round of the Queensland PGA Championship, part of the secondary Von Nida Tour.

McIntosh, who won the Queensland Open last week, shot an eagle, 11 birdies and one bogey in an amazing round in perfect morning conditions.

McKinney enjoyed an impressive amateur career winning both the 2022 St. Andrews Links Trophy and Australian Amateur before turning professional later in 2022 and signing with Modest Golf Management.

McKinney’s effort sent him from the midway point of the tournament in fourth place at 12 under, five shots behind 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.

  • AAP

 



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