04 Mar 2020 | Podcast |
Floyd's 58 shades of pure magic
by Mark Hayes
Shane Floyd has had many good days on golf courses - that has to be true as a scratch marker recently turned 55.
But he's never had one like this.
Floyd, at his beloved Cromer Golf Club in Sydney's northern suburbs this week, carved out one of the great rounds in signing for an extraordinary 58 off the stick.
Playing in his regular Saturday group with his mates, Floyd began his round on the ninth hole with four consecutive birdies, but even then couldn't fathom what lay ahead.
"I started well ... but you get nervous," Floyd told Inside The Ropes.
"I was just thinking, `Don't wreck this round' and just stay under par.
"I thought, `This will stop soon and I'll be lucky to keep parring holes'.
"But it got out of hand.
"I'm 55 and haven't been in this position, so I'm just hoping I can keep putting the club on the ball."
He did that and so much more.
No fewer than 11 birdies and an eagle later - and even with a bogey - the Cromer course record was obliterated. His own 48 stableford points was good, yet in the team event he was playing, the 49 of he and his mate was not quite good enough to win the day.
But Floyd wasn't complaining.
"It's been a wonderful few days, I can't believe how many people have congratulated me in all forms," he said.
"This is out of the blue, I've had a few rounds of three and four under which is great, but once you turn 55 you start thinking my days of shooting numbers like this are well and truly over."
So how did it all finish on the course as he geared for his final approach on the par-four eighth hole?
"I was 110 out with a pitching wedge in my hand ... I was so nervous just hoping to make contact and, God almighty, it went 5ft directly below the hole.
"I just couldn't miss."
Ahhh to be able to say that after a round of golf!
Well played, Shane. Truly a round of a lifetime.
Listen to the full chat with Mr 58:
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