An amateur golfer pulls off a ‘1 in 323 billion’ feat that even top PGA Tour players hardly ever manage.
Allan Harrison, a British amateur golfer and former playing partner of Tommy Fleetwood, pulled off an incredible round at Fairhaven Golf Club—one so rare it’s estimated to happen only once in 323 billion tries! After stopping for a pasty and a pint at the halfway house, Allan came back to play an amazing back nine.
At 64, Allan once teamed up with Ryder Cup star Tommy Fleetwood at Southport and Ainsdale Golf Club, though he didn’t reach the same fame. But recently, his golf game nearly matched a PGA Tour record with an unbelievable streak on the back nine.
After starting the front nine four over par, Allan took a break for lunch, then returned with fresh energy. He birdied seven holes in a row, and eight in total on the back nine—a feat so rare it’s only been done twice in the last 20 years. England Golf says the chance of any amateur doing this is about one in 322 billion, and even on the pro tour it’s almost unheard of.
For context, PGA Tour leaders usually make about 2.5 birdies in nine holes. Allan smashed that with eight! Only two pros, Mark Calcavecchia in 2009 and Kevin Chappell in 2019, have had better runs recently.
“I was four over after nine holes,” Allan shared. “I grabbed a pasty and a drink, and joked I’d start fresh on the back nine. The lads laughed at first, but then I started hitting birdie after birdie.”
His friends got excited watching him make birdies on holes 10 through 15. “I’d had seven in a row once before about 18 months earlier,” he said, “and they couldn’t believe it. They cheered me on, hoping I’d get eight to break my record.”
He did birdie number eight on 16th, but sadly missed a perfect streak on 17th. His seven-iron shot ran six feet past the hole, and he just missed the crucial putt to keep it going.
“My partner said I was so close,” Allan laughed. “I misread the putt, and it cost me.”
Although he finished second in the event, Allan felt the pressure of juggling work and golf. “I was sending emails during my round and messed up the 10th and 11th holes. My coach reminded me I play better when I focus.”
Allan’s golf journey didn’t follow the same path as PGA star Tommy Fleetwood’s, but his incredible round is a memory—and record—that no one can take away.