American Brandt Snedeker has fallen one shot shy of recording the first-ever European Tour round of 59 on day three of the WGC – HSBC Champions event in China.

Snedeker birdied his opening four holes on the Mission Hills Olazabal course and then when to seven under par for his round with birdies at seven, nine and 10.

American Brandt Snedeker shoots a round of 60. (Photo – www.golfbytourmiss.com)

The Ryder Cup ‘wildcard’ pick then birdied the 13th and moved closer to the magical sub-60 score with an eagle at the 15th followed by birdies at 16 and 17.

However at the tough 457-yard par four, 18th Snedeker had around a 20-foot putt in front of the flag for birdie that slid by the right of the hole.

His round of 60 lifted Snedeker into a then share of fourth place on 13-under par.

Included in Snedeker’s score was just 21 putts and with an Odyssey ‘White Hot’ putter that on inspection has scratches and cuts all over the base of the putter.

Naturally, there was a tinge of disappointment for Snedeker when he walked off the course.

“I am disappointed as  you don’t get a chance to shoot 59 too often, maybe a couple much times in your career and to do in a World Golf Championships event is special,” he said.

“I played great today, made a lot of putts.

“Can’t be too disappointed with how I played today, but you always want to make that last one.

“I was starting to think about a 59 at the last and that’s when it got in my mind.  I knew I was playing well, and I was having a really good round and then I eagled 15 and I thought, well, wait a second, if I birdie the last three, I can shoot 59.

“But it was a lot of fun on 18, getting the nerves going again but disappointed not to birdie the last hole but still, great round.”

Snedeker’s 12-under par score is the 16th occasion in the 40-year history of the European Tour a player has shot 60.

It was early last month that South African Branden Grace became the 15th when he posted a 60 at the Kingsbarns course in Scotland and on day one of the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship.

www.golfbytourmiss.com is assisting Kingsbarns Director of Golf, Allan Hogg in obtaining some signed items from Grace that will go up in the club to promote the remarkable feat.

And while this week’s event comes under the banner of all the main Tour’s it is officially the third score of 60 on the Asian Tour where there also has never been a 59.

However on the PGA Tour there has been four rounds under 60.