Michael Kim delivered a historic performance on Friday at the 3M Open, posting a 12‑under‑par 59 that marked only the sixteenth sub‑60 round ever recorded on the PGA Tour. His flawless 59 not only vaulted him into the lead but also placed him just one stroke away from tying the all‑time PGA Tour record for the lowest round. From the start of his round, Kim demonstrated remarkable consistency, stringing together a run of birdies from the third through the seventh holes.
He then continued his surge by finishing the back‑nine with an impressive four‑under‑par stretch, capping the day with a dramatic 24‑foot birdie putt on the 18th. The 33‑year‑old now sits at 14‑under‑par for the tournament, holding a three‑stroke advantage after two rounds and firmly establishing himself as the man to beat at TPC Twin Cities.
While Kim’s round stole the headlines, a trio of competitors shared second place. Ben Kohles, who entered the day with a two‑stroke lead, carded a 69 and fell into a tie with Chandler Phillips, who posted a 65, and Emiliano Grillo, who recorded a 67. Despite the strong showings from these players, the day belonged unequivocally to Kim. Kim’s putting was a particular highlight.
He sank eight putts from ten feet or farther, showcasing a level of precision that is rarely seen at this level of competition. His performance on the greens was so dominant that he described it as “awesome” in post‑round interviews, noting how each successful putt seemed to match his pre‑shot vision.
The 59 also placed Kim joint‑second on the PGA Tour’s list of lowest 18‑hole scores, trailing only Jim Furyk’s legendary 58 at the 2016 Travelers Championship. Prior to Kim’s achievement, the lowest round of the 2026 season had been a 60, a score matched by five different players—Blades Brown, Wyndham Clark, Si Woo Kim, Andrew Putnam, and Scottie Scheffler. Kim’s career on the PGA Tour includes a solitary victory at the 2018 John Deere Classic, but his 59 may prove to be the most memorable moment of his professional life to date. He reflected on the round, saying, “I putted awesome.
I feel that I got just about everything I could out of that round. Some shots I wasn’t supremely confident on, 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.” When asked about the significance of the achievement, Kim admitted it was “pretty cool” to be part of PGA Tour history, yet he emphasized the need to stay grounded. He warned himself against comparing future rounds to this extraordinary performance, acknowledging that consistency will be key as the tournament progresses.
“There’s a long way to go, and that guy named Scottie Scheffler is probably going to post a good score today anyway. I’m nowhere near done,” Kim said. Speaking of Scheffler, the world‑number‑one currently sits tied for 13th at seven‑under‑par after a disappointing 70 on a course that has been yielding low scores.
Scheffler, who entered the event strongly after a recent struggle with his putting, was sitting at nine‑under‑par before a mis‑hit on the 14th sent his approach ball into water, resulting in a double‑bogey. A subsequent poor tee shot on the 17th led to another bogey, and a difficult second shot from a low‑lying lie on the 18th saw his ball skid 34 feet past the hole. “Just got a bad break, but that happens,” Scheffler shrugged.
He managed to finish on a high note with a birdie on the 18th, but will need a stellar weekend to chase his first victory since the Desert Classic in January. The 3M Open continues to attract attention not only for the on‑course drama but also for its broadcast options.
Fans can watch live coverage on Sky Sports Golf starting at 7 p.m. on Saturday, with streaming available without a contract.
Additionally, golfers looking to experience top‑class facilities can book a round at any of the 1,700 courses across the UK and Ireland through the provided booking platform. Kim’s historic 59 underscores how a single round of brilliance can reshape a tournament’s narrative. While the record‑breaking 58 remains elusive, Kim’s performance brings him within striking distance and adds a fresh chapter to the PGA Tour’s storied history. As the weekend unfolds, all eyes will be on whether he can sustain this momentum, fend off the chase from seasoned rivals like Scheffler, and perhaps even lower the bar further on the path to a new record.