Michael Kim delivered a historic performance on Friday at the 3M Open, posting a 12‑under‑par 59 that became only the 16th sub‑60 round ever recorded on the PGA Tour. The 33‑year‑old American surged to the top of the leaderboard at TPC Twin Cities, moving to 14‑under for the tournament after two rounds and establishing a three‑stroke advantage over his rivals.
Kim's round was a masterclass in consistency and precision. He began his charge with a remarkable string of birdies from the third through the seventh holes, stringing together five consecutive under‑par scores. After a brief pause, he finished his round in spectacular fashion, carding four under par over his final four holes.
The climax came on the 18th, where he sank a dramatic 24‑foot birdie putt, sealing his 59 and cementing his place in the day's story. The American's putting was particularly outstanding.
On Friday he holed eight putts from ten feet or farther, a statistic that underscores how his short game carried him through the day. "I putted awesome," Kim said in the post‑round interview.
"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. The rest of my game, especially my putting, felt fantastic.
When you hit a putt and it does exactly what you envision, it's an incredible feeling. It felt like that all day out there." Kim's 59 ties him for second‑best 18‑hole scores in PGA Tour history, trailing only Jim Furyk's 58 at the 2016 Travelers Championship, which remains the all‑time low round. The previous low round of the 2026 season had been a 60, achieved by five different players—Blades Brown, Wyndham Clark, Si Woo Kim, Andrew Putnam, and Scottie Scheffler—making Kim's achievement all the more notable. While Kim celebrated his milestone, a trio of competitors shared second place.
Ben Kohles, who entered the day with a two‑stroke lead, posted a 69 and fell into a tie with Chandler Phillips (65) and Emiliano Grillo (67). Despite their solid play, the spotlight remained firmly on Kim's historic round. Kim's only PGA Tour victory before this came at the 2018 John Deere Classic. He reflected on his performance, noting that his previous best round was recorded at the 2023 Wyndham Championship.
"It's pretty cool to be part of history," he said, "but I need to stay calm and keep my game consistent to stay on top of the leaderboard." He emphasized the importance of not letting the extraordinary round dictate his expectations for the remainder of the tournament, especially with strong competitors like Scottie Scheffler still in contention. Scheffler, currently tied for 13th at seven‑under after a disappointing 70, had started the tournament strongly, reaching nine‑under before a mis‑hit on the 14th sent his ball into the water, resulting in a double bogey. He later bogeyed the 17th after a poor tee shot and a challenging second shot from a low‑lying lie.
"Just got a bad break, but that happens," Scheffler remarked. He finished the day with a birdie on 18, ending on a positive note, but acknowledged that he would need an exceptional weekend to capture 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, golf enthusiasts can explore booking options at over 1,700 courses across the UK and Ireland through the provided search tool. Kim's performance underscores the rarity and difficulty of breaking the 60‑stroke barrier on the PGA Tour.
Achieving a sub‑60 round requires a blend of flawless ball striking, strategic course management, and, as Kim demonstrated, exceptional putting. While the record of 58 remains elusive, Kim's 59 serves as a reminder that the gap is narrowing, and future tournaments may see the record finally fall. Looking ahead, the tournament will test whether Kim can sustain his momentum.
Maintaining composure after a career‑defining round is a mental challenge as much as a physical one. The pressure of a three‑stroke lead can be intense, especially with seasoned players like Scheffler, who has already demonstrated resilience after setbacks.
In summary, Michael Kim's 59 at the 3M Open not only propelled him into the lead but also etched his name alongside the greats of the game. His flawless execution, particularly on the greens, and his humble, focused attitude provide a blueprint for success in professional golf.
As the weekend unfolds, all eyes will be on whether he can convert this historic round into a tournament victory and possibly add his name to the list of players who have broken the elusive 60‑stroke barrier on the PGA Tour.