Adrien Dumont de Chassart called it a “good day to shoot 59.”
As if there’s ever a bad day to post one of golf’s magic numbers.
The 25-year-old Belgian fired an 11-under 59 in Thursday’s opening round of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas Wichita Open, becoming just the 14th player in Korn Ferry Tour history to break 60. He took advantage of preferred lies and perfect conditions at Crestview Country Club – temperatures in the low 80s with barely any wind – after severe weather damaged the course earlier this week.
Dumont de Chassart now leads by four shots following the morning wave. His scorecard was a masterpiece: 12 birdies, one bogey, and remarkable efficiency. He hit three greens in under regulation, including both par-5s, and didn’t make a putt longer than 25 feet all day.
“I’m glad I had my chance, and I took it,” said Dumont de Chassart, who missed only three fairways during his historic round.
The sub-60 thoughts started creeping in early. After birdieing the second hole to reach 7-under, he knew breaking 60 was possible. He missed a short birdie putt on the par-4 seventh that would’ve made things easier, but bounced back by sticking a 6-iron close at the par-3 eighth for his final birdie.
“If I can hit the ball in play, I feel like I can compete at any level,” he added.
This marks the sixth sub-60 score on the Korn Ferry Tour in just the last three seasons. While impressive, it’s not even the lowest in recent KFT history – Cristobal del Solar shot a 13-under 57 at last year’s Astara Golf Championship, while Frankie Capan III and Stephan Jaeger have each posted 58s.
The University of Illinois product is looking to return to the PGA Tour after a brief stint. Dumont de Chassart earned his card after just one summer on the Korn Ferry Tour two years ago, but struggled at the highest level, making only 12 of 27 cuts and finishing 164th in FedExCup points. He enters this week 33rd in KFT points, needing a strong finish to the season to earn his way back.
