YOKOHAMA, Japan — Matt McCarty experienced a bittersweet moment in his burgeoning PGA Tour career during the Baycurrent Classic. Despite carding the lowest score of his professional journey, McCarty couldn’t shake the disappointment of narrowly missing a historic milestone. On Sunday, he approached the final hole with a tantalizing opportunity to match the PGA Tour’s 18-hole record of 58, set by Jim Furyk in 2016. However, a single errant swing dashed his hopes, sending his ball into the trees and forcing him to settle for a bogey and a final score of 60. ‘One swing away from a 58,’ McCarty lamented. ‘It’s a tough way to finish a really good day.’
McCarty’s remarkable round began on the 10th hole at Yokohama Country Club, where he trailed the leader by 13 shots. He ignited his performance with four birdies on the back nine, followed by a flawless streak of birdies on the front nine. However, his momentum faltered at the 409-yard ninth hole, which curves sharply to the left. ‘I was a little tight and tried to guide it too much,’ McCarty admitted. ‘I thought I had a chance around the corner.’ His ball struck a tree and veered into the forest, leaving him with a penalty and a challenging recovery. Despite the setback, McCarty managed to salvage a bogey, showcasing his resilience.
Reflecting on his performance, McCarty expressed mixed emotions. ‘It’s weird to play that well and come off the course feeling like this,’ he said. While his 60 remains a career-best, the near-miss of a record-breaking 58 left a lingering sense of what could have been. The PGA Tour record of 58, achieved by Furyk at the Travelers Championship, has only been matched by 14 other rounds of 59, most recently by Jake Knapp earlier this year. McCarty’s performance, though not historic, underscores his potential and determination on the tour.