25 years later, David Duval’s magical 59 is still large part of American Express’ identity

LA QUINTA, Calif. — Few tournaments on the PGA Tour have seen the kind of history that he American Express tournament has experienced over 65 years.

From five victories by Arnold Palmer to consecutive wins by Johnny Miller to John Cook playing a four-hole playoff in 5-under par, the remarkable always seems to find its way into the desert tournament. But for all the Hall of Fame winners, the individual great shots and the long-time association with Bob Hope, there remains one day that stands above the others in the 65-year history of the event.

With scoring at this year’s American Express again plunging into the low 60s day after day, it’s a good chance to reflect on and appreciate again David Duval’s final-round 59 in the 1999 tournament on the Palmer Course at PGA West. The greatest round in the history of the tournament still resonates 25 years later with golf fans not only in the desert but around the world.

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Perhaps Al Geiberger’s original 59 on the PGA Tour in 1977 in the third round of the Danny Thomas Memphis Classic on a tough Colonial Country Club course was a better round of golf, but Duval’s 59 remains a close second in most fans’ minds.

A few things to remember about Duval’s historic round:

Nine times in the round Duval hit his approach shot inside of six feet. The longest putt he had to make in tallying 11 birdies and one eagle was 10 feet. Yes, he made all of his putts, but that’s because he was knocking down flagsticks the entire day

People have the idea when they see Duval dancing around after making a six-foot eagle putt on the 18th hole to cap the 59 that Duval had won the tournament at that moment. In fact, Duval had started the day seven shots back of the 72-hole leader Fred Funk (it was a five-day, 90-hole tournament back then) so Duval’s round was played in front of the leaders. It wasn’t until Steve Pate missed a putt on No. 18 playing in the final group that Duval’s victory was secured. Had Duval shot 59 and not won the tournament, it would have been a different story.

Duval shot 31 on the front nine, including a birdie on the tough par-4 ninth hole of the Palmer Course. But he truly caught fire on the back nine with birdies on six of the first seven holes before making the iconic eagle on the 18th for an 8-under 28 on the back nine.

Duval had won eight tournaments in 16 months, including the Tournament of Champions just two weeks before the 1999 American Express. The 59 and that victory helped thrust Duval to No. 1 in the world ahead of Tiger Woods, and Duval won four tournaments in the season before the Masters. The 59 was indicative of how hot he was in the game at the time.

Yes, Adam Hadwin shot a 59 in the tournament at La Quinta Country Club in the third round of the 2017 tournament, and it was a brilliant round of golf. But Duval’s 59 became the very identity of the tournament at a time when Bob Hope was backing away from the event and other top names were staying away from the desert tournament. Duval was the shot in the arm the event, known as the Bob Hope Classic, badly needed.

Even this week there have been players who threatened to shoot a 59, falling short with a 61 or a 62. That’s still great golf, but a long way from 59. And to shoot a 59 under the pressure of national television and the final round of a PGA Tour event certainly takes Duval’s round to another level.

Mike Tirico’s call of the Duval 59 was, “59! The best final round . . . ever!” Duval’s round has been matched and even surpassed on the PGA Tour over the last 25 years, but just as Geiberger’s round from 1977 still has a lasting place in the game, Duval’s 59 still has a major place in the history of the American Express 25 years later.

Larry Bohannan is the golf writer for The Desert Sun. You can contact him at (760) 778-4633 or at larry.bohannan@desertsun.com. Follow him on Facebook or on Twitter at @larry_bohannan. Support local journalism. Subscribe to The Desert Sun.