Cristóbal Del Solar Bio
Cristóbal Ignacio del Solar Leefhelm (born 11 October 1993) is a Chilean professional golfer who competes on the PGA Tour. Standing 6 feet 1 inch tall and weighing 197 pounds, del Solar turned professional in 2017 and has steadily built a reputation as one of the most consistent South American players of his generation. He is widely recognized for shooting the lowest round ever recorded in a PGA Tour sanctioned event, a 57 at the 2024 Astara Golf Championship in Colombia. The remarkable performance earned him the enduring nickname “Mr. 57” among fans and fellow competitors.
Born in Viña del Mar, Chile, del Solar developed his game on South American courses before moving to the United States to play college golf at Florida State University. He later settled in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, where he continues to base his training and tournament preparation. Across the PGA Tour Canada, PGA Tour Latinoamérica, Korn Ferry Tour, and the PGA Tour, he has accumulated eight professional victories.
Early Life and Background
Cristóbal Ignacio del Solar Leefhelm was born on 11 October 1993 in Viña del Mar, a coastal city on Chile’s Pacific coast known for its scenic golf courses and strong sporting culture. Growing up in this environment, del Solar was introduced to the game at a young age and quickly developed a passion for competitive golf. The temperate climate and quality courses in central Chile provided an ideal training ground for a young player with professional ambitions.
His early development was shaped by the regional tournament circuit in Chile, where junior players regularly test their skills against the country’s best young talent. These formative years allowed del Solar to refine his swing and course-management skills before pursuing collegiate golf in the United States. Family support and early exposure to elite competition helped lay the foundation for his future professional success.
Path to Golf
Del Solar’s path to professional golf accelerated when he enrolled at Florida State University, one of the most respected collegiate programs in the country. Playing for the Seminoles, he won one tournament during his college career and earned selection to the All-ACC Team following his junior season, a recognition reserved for the conference’s top performers. His time at Florida State exposed him to high-level competition and the kind of demanding practice standards required to succeed at the next level.
After completing his collegiate career, del Solar made the decision to turn professional in 2017, joining PGA Tour Canada as his entry point into the professional ranks. That same year marked the start of a journey that would take him through several developmental tours and ultimately to the highest levels of professional golf. His steady progression through the ranks reflected both his talent and his willingness to compete across multiple tours to gain experience.
Cristóbal Del Solar Career
Early Career (2017–2018)
Del Solar launched his professional career on PGA Tour Canada in 2017, competing in six events during his rookie season. The experience provided a valuable introduction to the demands of professional tournament play and helped him identify areas of his game that needed refinement. In 2018, he returned to South America and was the medalist at the PGA Tour Latinoamérica qualifying tournament in Argentina, a strong performance that signaled his readiness for the next step.
Later in 2018, del Solar captured his first professional victory at the Center Open, winning by a comfortable five-stroke margin. The decisive performance established him as a rising talent on PGA Tour Latinoamérica and gave him the confidence to pursue a full schedule on the tour the following year. That breakthrough win remains a defining moment in his early career.
PGA Tour Latinoamérica Breakthrough (2018–2019)
Building on his qualifying success, del Solar played a full PGA Tour Latinoamérica schedule in 2019. He added a second career victory at the Puerto Plata Open, further solidifying his status as one of the tour’s most promising players. His consistency on the Latinoamérica circuit allowed him to accumulate the experience needed to eventually seek opportunities on higher-ranked tours.
Across his PGA Tour Latinoamérica appearances, del Solar has accumulated a total of four professional victories, making the tour one of the most successful chapters of his career. These wins served as a springboard toward the Korn Ferry Tour and, eventually, the PGA Tour.
Korn Ferry Tour and PGA Tour (2019–2024)
Del Solar’s transition to the Korn Ferry Tour marked a significant step up in competition. Competing against many of the world’s top developmental players, he continued to refine his game while pursuing his first win on the tour. His patience and persistence were rewarded in February 2024 with one of the most historic performances in the history of PGA Tour sanctioned golf.
At the Astara Golf Championship in Colombia, del Solar fired a round of 57, the lowest round ever recorded in a PGA Tour sanctioned event. The round was eight strokes under par and immediately drew attention from golf media and fans worldwide. He earned the nickname “Mr. 57” in recognition of this extraordinary achievement. That Korn Ferry Tour victory was his first on the circuit and a defining milestone of his career.
The momentum from his record-setting round helped propel del Solar to the PGA Tour, where he now competes among the world’s elite players. His rapid rise from the developmental tours to the PGA Tour in the same year stands as one of the more remarkable stories in recent professional golf.
Driving Style and Strengths
Del Solar is recognized for his composure under pressure, precise iron play, and ability to score in bunches, as evidenced by his historic 57. His course-management skills, refined through years of playing varied conditions across South America, Canada, and the United States, have become one of his greatest assets. The patience he developed on developmental tours has translated into a steady, confident presence on the biggest stages.
Notable Events and Milestones
The most significant milestone of del Solar’s career came in February 2024, when his 57 at the Astara Golf Championship set the all-time record for the lowest round in a PGA Tour sanctioned event. Additional milestones include his medalist finish at the 2018 PGA Tour Latinoamérica qualifying tournament, his first professional win at the 2018 Center Open, and his selection to the All-ACC Team during his time at Florida State. He has also represented Chile in the 2022 South American Games in Asunción.
Cristóbal Del Solar Career Wins
Del Solar has recorded eight professional victories across multiple tours, a testament to his consistency and competitive drive. His wins span the PGA Tour Latinoamérica, Korn Ferry Tour, and Chilean Tour, demonstrating his ability to perform at a high level on a variety of courses and in different conditions. Each victory has contributed to his steady climb through the professional ranks and ultimately to his current position on the PGA Tour.
PGA Tour Latinoamérica Highlights
Del Solar has won four times on PGA Tour Latinoamérica, with his first victory coming at the 2018 Center Open, which he captured by five strokes. He added the Puerto Plata Open in 2019 as his second career win, and his remaining PGA Tour Latinoamérica victories continued to build his reputation as one of the tour’s most reliable performers. These four wins represent the foundation upon which his international career was built.
Korn Ferry Tour Highlights
Del Solar secured his first Korn Ferry Tour victory at the 2024 Astara Golf Championship, where his historic 57 became the centerpiece of the tournament. The win marked his arrival on one of the PGA Tour’s primary developmental circuits and remains the most talked-about performance of his career. It was this victory that earned him the enduring nickname “Mr. 57.”
Other Wins & Performances
In addition to his PGA Tour Latinoamérica and Korn Ferry Tour victories, del Solar has claimed three wins on the Chilean Tour, reflecting his continued connection to his home country’s professional circuit. He also represented Chile at the 2022 South American Games in Asunción, where he competed in the individual event. These additional performances highlight his versatility and commitment to representing his country on multiple stages.
| Series | Wins | Top Tens | Poles |
|---|---|---|---|
| PGA Tour Latinoamérica | 4 | — | — |
| Korn Ferry Tour | 1 | — | — |
| Chilean Tour | 3 | — | — |
Cristóbal Del Solar Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Public information about del Solar’s family background remains limited, with no widely available details regarding his parents or specific family ties to the sport. What is known is that he was raised in Viña del Mar, Chile, and that his early development in the game was supported by his family as he pursued competitive golf at a young age. The strong sporting culture of Viña del Mar and the surrounding region played a meaningful role in shaping his introduction to the game.
Personal Life
Del Solar currently resides in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, a popular home base for many professional golfers competing on the PGA Tour. He continues to maintain ties to his native Chile while balancing his international tournament schedule. Limited public information is available regarding his marital status or children, as he has kept his personal life largely private.
2025 Season Performance
Entering the 2025 season, Cristóbal del Solar competes on the PGA Tour, where he is working to build on the momentum generated by his historic 2024 Astara Golf Championship performance. His transition to the PGA Tour represents the highest level of his professional career, and he has approached the new schedule with the same steady, patient mindset that has defined his development. Early-season form has been a key focus as he adapts to the depth of competition on tour.
Throughout the 2025 campaign, del Solar has continued to leverage the course-management skills and composure that helped him succeed on the Korn Ferry Tour. His experience across multiple international tours has provided a strong foundation for managing the travel and varied course conditions of the PGA Tour schedule. The team and support staff around him in Palm Beach Gardens have played an important role in his preparation.
Looking ahead, del Solar’s primary goals for 2025 include securing consistent finishes, contending in signature events, and establishing himself as a regular presence in the later stages of tournaments. His historic 57 in 2024 set a high bar, and his continued progress will be closely watched by fans who followed his record-breaking round. With his blend of experience, talent, and proven ability to perform under pressure, del Solar remains one of the most intriguing Chilean players in professional golf.
