Michael Kim delivered a historic performance on Friday at the 3M Open, posting a 12‑under‑par 59 that marked only the 16th sub‑60 round ever recorded on the PGA Tour. The 33‑year‑old American surged into the lead after a flawless front nine, stringing together a run of birdies from the third through the seventh holes and then finishing the back nine with a remarkable four‑under stretch over his final four holes. By the end of his round, Kim had moved to 14‑under for the tournament, establishing a three‑stroke advantage and positioning himself firmly in command at TPC Twin Cities. Kim’s round was a showcase of precision, particularly with his putting.
He sank eight putts from ten feet or farther, a statistic that underscores how hot his short game was on that day. The climax came on the 18th hole, where he holed a dramatic 24‑foot putt for birdie, sealing his sub‑60 round in spectacular fashion. While his achievement places him joint‑second on the all‑time list of lowest 18‑hole scores in PGA Tour history, the record remains Jim Furyk’s 58, posted at the 2016 Travelers Championship.
The previous best 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—each of whom had reached that milestone earlier in the year. Kim’s 59 therefore not only eclipsed the season’s low mark but also added his name to a very exclusive club of golfers who have broken the 60‑stroke barrier. Behind Kim, 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 shot a 65, and Emiliano Grillo, who posted a 67.
Despite the tight competition, the day belonged unequivocally to Kim. 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 super confident on, but that’s golf. I was happy to salvage par on 13. The rest of my game, especially the putting, felt fantastic. When a putt rolls exactly as you picture it, it’s an incredible feeling.
It felt like that all day.” Kim’s lone PGA Tour victory prior to this came at the 2018 John Deere Classic, and his previous best round was a 60 at the 2023 Wyndham Championship. He described his 59 as “pretty cool” and acknowledged the need to stay grounded.
“It will be important for me not to compare tomorrow’s round to today’s,” he warned. “Even if I start poorly, I can’t be disappointed because I didn’t match today’s level.
There’s a long way to go, and guys like Scottie Scheffler are still in contention. I’m nowhere near 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 been yielding low scores. Scheffler began the tournament strongly, climbing to nine‑under before a mis‑hit on the 14th sent his approach into the water, resulting in a double‑bogey.
A subsequent poor tee shot on the 17th led to another bogey, and a tricky second shot from deep rough on the 17th saw the ball skid 34 feet past the hole. “Just got a bad break, but that happens,” Scheffler shrugged.
He finished the day on a positive note with a birdie on 18, but he knows he must produce a stellar 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 looking to play themselves can browse and book tee times at over 1,700 courses across the UK and Ireland through the provided search tool. Kim’s 59 will be remembered as a milestone in the 2026 PGA Tour season, a performance that demonstrates how a combination of flawless ball‑striking, aggressive course management, and exceptional putting can produce a near‑record score.
While the ultimate record of 58 remains out of reach for now, Kim’s achievement adds excitement to the leaderboard and sets a high bar for the remainder of the tournament. As the weekend unfolds, the pressure will mount for both Kim and his rivals, especially seasoned contenders like Scheffler, who will be eager to rebound and chase their own place in the record books. The story of the 3M Open is far from over, and golf fans can expect more thrilling moments as the field battles for the coveted title.