The Loop
Will Grimmer, 16, shoots 59 at Pinehurst event
By Alex Myers
2012 was a banner year for golf phenoms with 15-year-old Lydia Ko winning an LPGA event and 17-year-old Beau Hossler briefly leading the U.S. Open at Olympic. The game's teens had been relatively quiet in 2013 until Will Grimmer's scoring explosion on Wednesday.
Golf Channel reported the 16-year-old from Cincinnati shot a 59 at Pinehurst No. 1 during the second round of the North & South Junior Amateur. Grimmer shot 30 on the back nine first before coming in with a 29 (despite a bogey on No. 1), capped by a 20-foot birdie putt on No. 9.
Here's a video of Grimmer discussing his magical round, courtesy of Pinehurst Resort: #iframe:|||
Grimmer told Golf Channel that, "It didn't ever really seem possible until the last hole." That makes sense considering the 59 bettered his previous tournament-best score by seven shots.
Of course, this isn't the first time someone who's not even voting age in this country has gone really low. Three years ago, Bobby Wyatt, then 17, shot a 14-under 57 at the Country Club of Mobile in the second round of the Alabama Golf Association State Boys Championship. Wyatt recently helped lead Alabama to its first-ever NCAA men's golf championship.
Perhaps Grimmer is on his way to similar success at the next level. First things first, though. Thanks to an opening 74, Grimmer still trails by two shots meaning he'll need another good round on Thursday just to win this tournament.