Record breaker: Oliver Fisher hits first ever European Tour round of 59

England’s Oliver Fisher has made golfing history today after becoming the first player to hit a round of 59 in a European Tour event.

Playing at the Portugal Masters the 30-year-old started the second round on level par but ended the day in a tie for the lead on 12-under. Fisher’s bogey-free round of 59 include one eagle, ten birdies and seven pars.

Speaking after his stunning round, Fisher told the European Tour website: “It feels great. I started off the round great with three straight birdies and then kept it going. I saw that you guys were out here and it was in the back of my mind all day.

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“I’m just pleased that I two-putted there from 40-foot on the last. It was a great day, my caddie was great, it was very different to a couple of years ago on this green fighting to keep my card. I had that in the back of my mind, thinking ‘do you know what? Things could be worse’.

“It was fun, I tried to enjoy it and thankfully I got over the line.”

European Ryder Cup captain Thomas Bjorn called it a “special moment” while world No.1 and fellow Englishman Justin Rose said Fisher’s achievement was “awesome”.

Since the European Tour was formed in 1972 more than 690,000 rounds have been played. Only 19 players had recorded a round of 60 before Fisher’s 59 in Portugal.

Twitter reactions to Fisher’s round of 59