Hayden Springer 'lost for words' after seizing John Deere lead with stunning 59

The world number 236 wrapped up the 14th sub-60 round on the PGA Tour with an eagle-birdie finish — 12 days after Cameron Young added his name to the list at the Travelers Championship.

Only 13 of the 156-strong field shot over the par of 71 on a rain-softened TPC Deere Run course in Illinois.

Finland's Sami Valimaki was two shots back after opening with four birdies and finishing with three more, leaving him one ahead of American Eric Cole.

"I played really awesome," Valimaki said. "From tee to green whole day was really good. Of course putter needs to be good if you want to shoot low. From tee-to-green that was the key."

England's Harry Hall carded eight birdies in a blemish-free 63 to sit among a group four strokes off the lead.

"I'm at a loss for words at being able to do that, one of the rare things in golf," said Springer, who, prior to his joint-10th place finish at the Rocket Mortgage Classic on Sunday, had missed six successive cuts. "I've shot 61 a few times.

"It's been a little bit tough to find anything, so it is special."

An eagle and six birdies to the turn meant his 27 was a record for the front nine on the TPC Deere Run course and lowest since 2000, but failing to take advantage of the par-five 10th was the first of five successive pars.

A 59 looked unlikely even after a birdie at the 15th but he holed out from 55 yards for an eagle at the par-five 17th and then nervelessly sank a 12-footer at the last for his place in the history books.

Springer only earned his first PGA Tour card last December, just weeks after the tragic death of his three-year-old daughter due to complications from the rare chromosomal disorder.