Michael Kim delivered a spectacular performance on Friday at the 3M Open, posting the 16th sub‑60 round ever recorded on the PGA Tour. His 12‑under‑par 59 not only vaulted him into the lead but also underscored his capacity to produce a near‑perfect round under tournament pressure.
From the first tee, Kim displayed an aggressive yet controlled approach, stringing together a series of birdies from the third through the seventh holes. Those five consecutive birdies set the tone for the rest of his round, allowing him to build a comfortable cushion while his competitors struggled to keep pace. As he approached the back‑nine, Kim maintained his momentum, finishing the final four holes at four under par, a stretch that cemented his 59 and gave him a three‑stroke advantage heading into the weekend. At 33 years old, the American now commands the leaderboard at TPC Twin Cities with a total of 14‑under after two rounds.
His lead is significant, but the field remains competitive. A trio of players – Ben Kohles, Chandler Phillips, and Emiliano Grillo – share second place.
Kohles, who entered the day with a two‑stroke lead, carded a 69 and fell into the tie, while Phillips posted a 65 and Grillo a 67, both staying within striking distance. Kim's putting was a highlight of the day.
He sank eight putts from ten feet or farther, showcasing a remarkable touch and confidence on the greens. The round culminated with a dramatic 24‑foot birdie putt on the 18th hole, a shot that epitomized his composure and skill under pressure. Prior to Kim's achievement, the lowest round of the 2026 PGA Tour 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 59 therefore stands out as a historic milestone, tying him for second‑best in PGA Tour history alongside Jim Furyk’s legendary 58 from the 2016 Travelers Championship, which remains the record.
When asked about his performance, Kim reflected on the quality of his putting and the overall feel of the round. "I putted awesome," he said. "I think I got everything I could out of that round. Some shots I wasn’t completely confident about, but that’s golf.
I was happy to salvage par on 13. The rest of my game, especially my putting, felt fantastic.
When a putt rolls exactly as you picture it, it’s an amazing feeling – it happened all day." Kim’s previous best round on the Tour came at the 2023 Wyndham Championship, making this 59 a significant leap forward in his career. He acknowledged the historical significance of his round, describing it as "pretty cool," but cautioned that maintaining his position will require composure and focus. "It will be important not to compare tomorrow’s round to today’s.
Even if I start poorly, I can’t be disappointed because I didn’t match that performance," he explained. "There’s still a long way to go, and players like Scottie Scheffler will likely post strong scores as well. The job isn’t done." Speaking of Scheffler, the world‑number‑one currently sits tied for 13th at seven‑under after a disappointing 70 on a course that has yielded low scores for many. Scheffler began the tournament strongly, reaching nine‑under before a mis‑hit on the 14th sent his ball into water, resulting in a double‑bogey.
A subsequent poor tee shot on the 17th added another bogey, and a tricky lie in the rough on the 17th caused his second shot to skid 34 feet past the hole. "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 he knows he must produce a dominant weekend to chase his first victory since the Desert Classic in January. The 3M Open continues to attract attention, with live coverage available on Sky Sports Golf and streaming options that require no contract.
Golf enthusiasts can also explore booking options at over 1,700 courses across the UK and Ireland, ensuring that fans have ample opportunities to experience the sport firsthand. Overall, Kim’s 59 is a testament to the power of precision, mental toughness, and relentless practice.
While the record remains just out of reach, his performance will be remembered as one of the most impressive rounds of the season, and it sets a high bar for the remainder of the tournament. The coming days will reveal whether he can sustain this level of play and possibly chase the elusive 58, while his rivals will be eager to close the gap and mount a challenge for the title.