The world of sports is synonymous with astounding stories, and golf is no exception. One noteworthy tale is that of Mike Reasor, who etched his name in golf history by shooting a staggering 93-over par in a PGA Tour event. His remarkable feat is a testament to both the unpredictability of the sport and the perseverance of the human spirit.
Golf, like any sport, is rife with potential pitfalls and unexpected circumstances. Over the years, we’ve witnessed Lee Trevino being struck by lightning, and more recently, Scottie Scheffler and Viktor Hovland withdrawing from tournaments due to unforeseen injuries. However, it is rare to find a player who, against all odds, managed to finish a PGA Tour event despite enduring severe physical pain. Enter Mike Reasor.
The memorable saga of Mike Reasor is worth reflecting upon. It was April of 1974 when Reasor, a seasoned golfer, arrived at the Tallahassee Open. As part of the PGA Tour, a good performance here would secure his qualification for the subsequent event, the Byron Nelson Classic.
Reasor’s initial two rounds at the tournament were steady, with even-par scores. His focus for the third and fourth rounds was to climb as high as possible in the rankings. However, an unfortunate incident during a recreational horse ride on Friday evening took a severe toll on his physical health.
Reasor’s horse collided head-on with a tree, tossing him violently onto the ground. The incident left him with a dislocated shoulder, damaged knees, and severe rib pain. Despite the excruciating ordeal, Reasor chose to continue in the tournament. Under tournament rules, withdrawing meant his qualification would be nullified.
Facing the challenge head-on, Reasor played the remaining rounds single-handedly, using only a five-iron and a putter. His resilience resulted in scores of 51 over and 42 over for the final two rounds, respectively. This culminated in a total score of 93 over par, making Reasor the holder of the highest score ever recorded in a PGA Tour event.
While Reasor’s story stands out, golf history is littered with other shocking rounds. For instance, Walter Ratto recorded a score of 100 in the 1941 US Open. Rumors suggest that the early US Opens in 1898 saw some astonishing three-figure scores. Even the greats of the sport have had their share of dismal performances. John Daly shot an 18 on the sixth hole at the Arnold Palmer in 1998, resulting in a score of 85. Likewise, Tiger Woods had a disappointing round of 85 at The Memorial in 2015.
Yet, perhaps the most astonishing round was Billy Casper’s score of 105 at the 2005 Masters. However, since Casper didn’t sign his card, this round was never officially recorded and hence, didn’t make it into the history books.
In conclusion, the tale of Mike Reasor serves as a testament to the unpredictability of golf and the resilience of its players. The sport continues to surprise and entertain, making it a captivating spectacle for fans worldwide.
