Former Ryder Cup player Barry Lane became the first person in Staysure Tour history to card a 12 under par round of 60 during his record-breaking victory at the Willow Senior Golf Classic.
The Englishman, who represented Europe at The Belfry in 1993, was five under par at the start of his second round at Hanbury Manor Marriott Hotel & Country Club, and would finish the day an incredible 17 under par as he carded 12 birdies on what was a memorable Saturday afternoon.
Lane birdied the first three holes to take the early lead, and then proceeded to run riot with four birdies on the next six holes, making the turn in just 29 shots.
After a ‘slow’ start to the back nine, with just a solitary birdie on the par five 12thhole, Lane birdied the 15thand 16thholes, leaving a slim chance for the first ever Staysure Tour 59.
Eagled three times earlier in the day by his competitors, Lane found the two-tiered 17thgreen with his second shot but the ball refused to roll down the slope, which would have set up a makeable eagle attempt on the bottom tier.
Putting down a tricky hill, Lane’s putt stopped short of the hole but he carded his 11thbirdie of the day.
He comfortably found the 18thfairway with his drive, and left himself just six feet for birdie with a superb approach.
Despite the pressure, Lane remained calm and putted a record-breaking 12thbirdie – beating the previous record of 11 under par set in 2010 by former Order of Merit winner Boonchu Ruangkit at the Chang Thailand Senior Masters presented by ISPS.
“I don’t know how I did it,” said Lane after his round. “I had shot 62 before, and 61 on a par 70 course – you have no idea what you’re going to shoot when you wake up in the morning.
“I think I missed just one green, but I holed everything within 15 feet. I had two two-putts on the par fives, so probably only had 25 putts. 25 putts and 35 shots isn’t a bad round of golf at all.
“I’m 57 and I nearly shot my age!”
