Beck doesn’t think 58 is unreachable

Monday, Oct. 20, 1997 | 9:21 a.m.

Chip Beck is not ruling out the possibility of someone shooting a 58 to break the PGA Tour scoring record he shares with Al Geiberger.

"I think it is possible,," said Beck, who gained his share of golf immortality during the third round of the 1991 Las Vegas Invitational. "I think that with the way golf courses are being groomed, the way equipment's going, I think it should be possible.

"I hope it happens again. I think it will."

Beck shot his record-matching round at the Sunrise Country Club the only year it was used in the three-course rotation for the Las Vegas Invitational.

Beck said he believes shooting the 59 will help him in the future.

"I've felt like it's been more of a stepping stone than anything," he said. "It's something that's hopefully going to help me down the road to get some majors under my belt and help extend my career."

Beck's 59 propelled him into a share of the lead after three rounds of the 1991 LVI. He followed his spectacular 13-birdie round with a 68 and a 67 in the final two rounds at the Las Vegas Country Club and finished tied for third, two shots behind tournament champion Andrew Magee, and earned $78,000.

In addition to the $78,000 in prize money Beck took home from Las Vegas, he earned a $500,000 bonus from Hilton Hotels Corp. for matching Geiberger's 59 and $500,000 was donated to charity in his name. But as nice as the money is -- Beck will receive $20,000 a year for 20 years -- he said the nicest part of firing a 59 is being mentioned in the same breath as Geiberger.

"That's probably the best thing about it -- to be aligned with such a wonderful man as Al Geiberger," Beck said.

Beck, who will be in the field for this week's 15th annual Las Vegas Invitational, said he looks forward to returning to Las Vegas each year.

"I've really enjoyed the people in Las Vegas," he said. "For me, it's more than just the gambling and all the things to do that go along with Las Vegas. You get to know the town more, the people. We go there for a good time and people have always been friendly toward us."

Beck, who has four career victories on the PGA Tour, has not had a tournament victory since he won the 1992 Freeport-McMoRan Classic.