Imagine playing a round of golf so unbelievably good, it redefines what's possible on a par-three course. We're not just talking about a good score; we're talking about a performance so dominant, it makes other pros wonder if they should take up a different sport. Get ready to hear about Johnny Travale's earth-shattering round at the Arizona Skins Game – a feat so impressive, it's almost unbelievable.
I'll be honest: I have no idea if there's an official 'greatest round ever on a par-three course' award. I've never even heard anyone discuss rounds on par-three courses before! But after you hear this story, you'll agree that Johnny Travale's recent performance at the Arizona Skins Game, held on the Mountain Shadows Short Course near Scottsdale, Arizona, deserves that title. Trust me on this one.
The Arizona Skins Game is a long-standing tradition in the Scottsdale area, drawing a crowd of local pros and those who winter in the sunny locale. Every Tuesday, they test their skills at Mountain Shadows. This par-54 short course features 18 holes, ranging from a manageable 85 yards to a challenging 195 yards. From the back tees, the course totals 2,310 yards, averaging 128 yards per hole. Seasoned pros describe the course as "tricky" and "not easy." And this is the part most people miss: even seasoned pros find this course challenging, yet Travale absolutely dominated it.
Now, for the unbelievable part: Johnny Travale shot a 40. Yes, you read that correctly – a fourteen-under-par 40! But here's where it gets controversial... He carded an astounding 18 on the front nine. Let that sink in for a moment. Eighteen! For nine holes of golf!
To truly grasp how mind-blowing this is, let's add some context. The previous week, a Korn Ferry Tour (KFT) member, Grant Hirschman, won the low-round pot with a six-under 48. Throughout this season, scores of three-under, four-under (multiple times), and five-under have been enough to win. According to Travale, his 40 shattered the course record by a staggering three or four shots. To illustrate this further, imagine consistently scoring birdies and eagles on a regular course – that's the level of dominance Travale displayed.
The buy-in for the Skins Game is $135, granting entry into all the competitions: skins (the main event), first five holes, last five holes, longest birdie streak, and beast ball (a partners competition). It's a chance for these pros to put their skills, and their money, on the line.
And guess what? Travale swept every single category. Okay, he tied in two, but still – every. single. one. He was practically printing money out there!
Consider this: in the "first five" competition, former PGA Tour member Brandon Harkins shot an impressive four-under. This score would have been enough to win (or tie) that portion of the pot in every Skins Game played there for the past five years. But Harkins lost to Travale by two strokes. In a five-hole contest! Good grief, that's brutal. It really puts Travale's performance into perspective.
Travale's front nine was a masterclass in precision and control: 2-2-2-2-1-2-2-3-2. He wasn't relying on long, lucky shots; in fact, he had a good look at birdie on his eighth hole, which ended up being his only par on the front nine. Can you imagine the pressure of knowing you're on pace for a historically low score?
He shot 18. Eighteen. On nine holes. Let that sink in again.
For those curious about the distances of those holes, here they are in order:
107 yards
162 yards
156 yards
193 yards
93 yards (the ace!)
120 yards
75 yards
175 yards
90 yards
The 25-year-old Canadian now heads to the second stage of Q-school in Tucson next week. And if his wedge game is anything like it was at Mountain Shadows, he might just have the easiest walk through second stage in history. It's a testament to how important a strong short game is in golf. And this is the part most people miss: sometimes the best way to prepare for a major tournament is to dominate a friendly match.
A big thank you to the Arizona Skins Game (@arizonaskins on IG) for sharing this incredible story.
So, what do you think? Was this the greatest round ever played on a par-three course? Is it even possible to compare performances across different courses and conditions? And perhaps the most controversial question of all: Does a dominant performance in a casual skins game translate to success in more high-pressure tournaments like Q-school? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below! We're eager to hear your opinions and spark a lively debate.
