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Despite hitting rounds of 59 pair won't enter European Tour record books

Despite hitting rounds of 59 South Africa’s Colin Nel and Spaniard Jorge Campillo will not ...
Newstalk
Newstalk

10.07 14 Dec 2013


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Despite hitting rounds of 59 p...

Despite hitting rounds of 59 pair won't enter European Tour record books

Newstalk
Newstalk

10.07 14 Dec 2013


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Despite hitting rounds of 59 South Africa’s Colin Nel and Spaniard Jorge Campillo will not enter the European Tour record books.
The pair hit 59 in the Nelson Madela Championship, which was heavily influenced by heavy rain. It was the rain, and the rule changes it brought about, that cost the men their place in the record books.

The policy of “preferred lies” was enacted, meaning players could lift and clean their balls on the damp fairways. This was along with a reduction of par to 70, as the event was shortened to 54 holes.

The event has been moved forward one day to avoid clashing with the funeral of Nelson Mandela and will finish on Saturday.
Campillo hit an eagle and seven birdies during his round and afterwards told the BBC he had known a low round was possible on the course:

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"My caddie walked the course during the practice round and said we could shoot 59 out here,

"It's a great day. I was nervous on the finish, but I managed to finish strong. I'm really happy because no matter what you still have to make the putts to shoot 59."

Nel meanwhile hit an even more incredible nine birdies, along with an eagle. The South African admitted he had made an aim of the course record, just to keep himself in touch following a poor first round.

"I was a bit depressed after my first round," Nel said.

"So on the first tee I said to my playing partners, 'Where's the first tee and what's the course record?' I needed to go deep to make the cut. The putter just got hot. I had 22 putts, 11 (on) each nine, and you dream of that."


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