Cristobal Del Solar of Chile set the Korn Ferry Tour record on Thursday with a 13-under 57 in the Astara Golf Championship, the lowest round in a PGA Tour-sanctioned event and matching the record on tours that are part of the Official World Golf ranking.
The 30-year-old, who is ranked 259th in the world, played such a flawless round on the Pacos course at Bogota Country Club that he made par on his final three holes and still shot a 57. He made two eagles, one of them on the 330-yard ninth hole to go out in eight-under 27, tying the Korn Ferry Tour record for nine holes.
Del Solar was helped by the conditions. The Pacos course is only 6,254 yards and is around 8,500ft above sea level, allowing the ball to fly further. Rainy conditions in the days leading up to the tournament meant players were permitted to lift, clean and place golf balls under preferred lie rule.
“It was a very short course, I mean really short,” Del Solar said after his round. “A lot of holes were drivable; I wouldn’t say drivable, but within 20 yards of the green. I wouldn’t necessarily get on the green, but I was around it. The course was definitely set up to shoot a low score.
“Now, when you go onto a course like this, you don’t think, ‘I’m going to shoot 57.’ You just go out there and do your best and hope it’s a really low score. You’ve still got to do it, obviously.”
Del Solar broke the previous Korn Ferry record of 58 held by Stephan Jaegerm which was set during the first round of the Ellie Mae Classic in 2016. David Carey was the first player with a 57, which he carded in the 2019 Cervino Open on the Alps Tour.
Del Solar became the 53rd player with a sub-60 round on tours around the world – including the LPGA Tour, PGA Tour Champions and LIV Golf – since Al Geiberger first shot 59 in the 1977 Memphis Classic.
Last week, Joaquin Niemann shot 59 at LIV Golf Mayakoba. Golf worldwide has had at least one sub-60 round every year since 2013.
after newsletter promotion
Del Solar was not the only player to benefit from the conditions and he only had a four-shot lead despite his record-breaking round.
“Today’s the first day of the tournament,” he said. “I’ve to play again tomorrow. Hopefully by Sunday, I’ll have also amazing news. Hopefully, I’ll celebrate Sunday as well.”