Meet Mr 58: Germany's Jaeger equals tour record

If Darren Clarke is looking for a German wild card capable of outrageous runs of birdies then he should look no further.

Never mind Martin Kaymer – Web.com tour pro Stephan Jaeger shot a bogey-free round of 58 in California last week.

Jaeger’s phenomenal feat matches that the lowest-ever score in major tour play. Impressive!

Munich-born Jaeger was playing the 45th Web.com event of his career since joining the Tour in 2015 having only featured on the PGA Tour twice, missing the cut both times.

Unsurprisingly, he went on to record an emphatic win in California last week, securing a seven-stroke victory at the Ellie Mae Classic.

But it was his opening round on Thursday that caught the attention of the golfing world.

The 27-year-old’s twelve birdies (not to mention notching five birdies in his last six holes) and six pars on the near 7,200-yard TPC Stonebrae in Hayward helped him to a part of Web.com history with the lowest score in the Tour’s existence, and of any PGA Tour-sanctioned event.

He's got the moves like Jaeger.

Another look at Stephan Jaeger's record-setting putt for 58. https://t.co/eNqPLL3AzE

— Web.com Tour (@WebDotComTour) July 29, 2016

Impressively, Jaeger followed it up with rounds of 65-64-63 to match the lowest ever winning total (250) to par at 30-under and grab another Web.com record.

Jaeger said about the 58: “I obviously don’t expect that ever. Starting out the week like that, you kind of want to wonder is it your week?

“But yeah, it’s a great feeling to stand here and talk about it as a champion. Hopefully, we’ll do it many more times.”

The 27-year-old earned $108,000 after recording his maiden win which saw him jump from 102nd to 20th on the money list with $139,793, with the top 25 after the final four regular-season events earning PGA Tour cards.

Amazingly, Rhein Gibson who sat second after the first round following an impressive 62, holds the outright Guinness World Record for the lowest ever round on record following a 55 in 2012 at River Oaks Golf Club.

Daniel Chopra was the first #WebTour player to post 30-under total.

12 years later, Stephan Jaeger matched it. pic.twitter.com/cja9RGoRN5

— Web.com Tour (@WebDotComTour) August 1, 2016

The previous record on the Web.com (59) was held by a number of players including Will Wilcox, Russell Knox, Notah Begay III, Doug Dunakey and Jason Gore.

Japan starlet Ryo Ishikawa also shot a 12-under 58 to win the 2010 Crowns on the Japan Tour. Six players have shot 59 in official PGA Tour events, and Kevin Sutherland on the Champions Tour, but the German beat them all to the record during his first-ever Tour victory.

Jaeger bombs, all round. (sorry!)

What’s in Stephan Jaeger’s bag?

Jaeger

DRIVER – PING G LS Tec 10.5° @11°, Project X Hzrdus Yellow 63-X, 45.25″, tipped 1″, D3

FAIRWAY WOOD – PING i25 3-wood, 15°, -1° setting, Mitsubishi Diamana B 70-X, 43″, tipped 1″, D2

IRONS – PING S55, 2-PW, True Temper DG Tour Issue X100, 1° flat, 1° strong, D2

WEDGES – PING Anser, 50°, 56°, TT DG Tour Issue S400, 1° flat, D2, D3+

PUTTER- PING Anser, manganese bronze, 35″, 4° loft, PP58 Blackout grip

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Tom Irwin

Tom is a lifetime golfer, now over 30 years playing the game. 2023 marks 10 years in golf publishing and he is still holding down a + handicap at Alwoodley in Leeds. He has played over 600 golf courses, and has been a member of at least four including his first love Louth, in Lincolnshire. Tom likes unbranded clothing, natural fibres, and pencil bags. Seacroft in Lincolnshire is where it starts and ends.