Michael Kim delivered a spectacular performance on Friday at the 3M Open, posting a 12‑under‑par 59 that marked only the 16th sub‑60 round in PGA Tour history. The 33‑year‑old American surged to the top of the leaderboard at TPC Twin Cities, moving to 14‑under for the tournament and establishing a three‑stroke lead after two rounds. Kim’s round was a masterclass in consistency and precision. He opened with a string of birdies from the third through the seventh hole, showcasing a flawless swing and keen course management.
After the mid‑round burst, he maintained his momentum by finishing the last four holes at four under, capping the day with a dramatic 24‑foot birdie putt on the 18th. His putting was particularly dominant, as he sank eight putts from ten feet or farther, a statistic that underscored his confidence on the greens. While Kim was the clear star, a trio of players shared second place.
Ben Kohles, who entered the day with a two‑stroke advantage, posted a 69 and fell into a tie with Chandler Phillips (65) and Emiliano Grillo (67). Despite the tight competition, the day belonged unequivocally to Kim.
The 59 ties Kim for second‑best 18‑hole scores ever recorded on the PGA Tour, trailing only Jim Furyk’s historic 58 at the 2016 Travelers Championship, which remains the all‑time low. This achievement places Kim among an elite group of golfers who have broken the 60‑stroke barrier, a feat that has only been accomplished by a handful of players each season.
Prior to Kim’s round, the lowest score recorded in the 2026 season was a 60, achieved by five different competitors: Blades Brown, Wyndham Clark, Si Woo Kim, Andrew Putnam, and Scottie Scheffler. Kim’s only previous PGA Tour victory came at the 2018 John Deere Classic, and his 59 was a testament to how far his game has progressed. Reflecting on his performance, Kim said, “I putted awesome.
I feel that I got just about everything I could out of that round. Some shots I didn’t feel supremely confident about, but that’s golf.
I was happy I got away with par on 13. Other parts of my game, like my putting, felt fantastic.
When you hit a putt and it does exactly what you envisioned, it’s an amazing feeling. It felt like that all day out there.” He also acknowledged the importance of staying grounded moving forward. “It will be important for me not to compare tomorrow to today’s round, even if I start poorly. I don’t want to be disappointed if I’m not playing as well as I did today.
There’s a long way to go, and that guy named Scottie Scheffler is probably going to post a good score anyway. I’m nowhere near done,” Kim added. Scottie Scheffler, the world number one, found himself tied for 13th after a disappointing 70 on a course that was playing relatively easy. Scheffler began the tournament strongly, climbing to nine‑under before a wayward approach on the 14th landed in water, resulting in a double‑bogey six.
A mis‑hit tee shot on the 17th added another bogey, and a challenging lie in the rough forced a second‑shot that skidded 34 feet past the hole. “Just got a bad break, but that happens,” Scheffler remarked. He finished with a birdie on 18, ending the day on a positive note, but will need a stellar weekend to chase his first victory since the Desert Classic in January. Kim’s historic round not only gave him a commanding lead but also added a new chapter to PGA Tour lore.
His previous low round came at the 2023 Wyndham Championship, making the 59 a significant leap forward. He described the experience as “pretty cool” to be part of history, yet emphasized the need for composure to maintain his position on the leaderboard.
The 3M Open continues to attract attention from fans worldwide, with live coverage available on Sky Sports Golf and various streaming platforms. As the tournament progresses, all eyes will be on whether Kim can sustain his momentum and whether other contenders, such as Scheffler, can mount a comeback. The weekend promises high‑stakes golf, with potential for more record‑breaking performances and dramatic shifts in the leaderboard. For those looking to follow the action, the tournament schedule for the 2026 PGA Tour offers multiple viewing options, including contract‑free streaming services and traditional broadcast channels.
Golf enthusiasts are encouraged to tune in, as the combination of elite talent, historic moments, and the scenic backdrop of TPC Twin Cities makes the 3M Open a must‑watch event for the remainder of the week.