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 and establishing a three‑stroke advantage after two rounds. Kim's flawless round began with a remarkable stretch of birdies from the third through the seventh holes, a run that set the tone for the rest of his card.
He continued to apply pressure, finishing the back‑nine with a spectacular four‑under stretch over his final four holes. The culmination came on the 18th, where he sank a dramatic 24‑foot putt for birdie, sealing his sub‑60 round in style. The day belonged to Kim in more ways than one.
His putting was exceptionally hot, as he holed eight putts from ten feet or farther. When a golfer describes a putt as "exactly what you envisioned before you hit it," the satisfaction is palpable, and Kim repeated that feeling throughout the day. He later reflected, "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 over, but that's golf. I was happy I got away with par on 13.
But other parts of my game, like my putting, felt fantastic. When you hit a putt and it does exactly what you kind of envisioned before you hit it, it's an awesome feeling. Felt like that all day out there." Kim's 59 ties him for second‑best 18‑hole score in PGA Tour history, trailing only Jim Furyk's 58 at the 2016 Travelers Championship, which remains the all‑time low round.
His previous best on tour came at the 2023 Wyndham Championship, making this achievement a significant leap forward. While he acknowledged the historic nature of his round, he cautioned against getting ahead of himself.
"It will be important for me to not compare myself tomorrow to today's round, even if I get off to a poor start or just an OK start, to not be so disappointed that 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 throw up a good score today anyway.
Nowhere near done," Kim said. The leaderboard behind Kim featured a three‑way tie for second place. Ben Kohles, who entered the day with a two‑stroke lead, carded a 69 and fell into the tie alongside Chandler Phillips, who shot a 65, and Emiliano Grillo, who posted a 67.
Despite their solid performances, Kim's round was simply on another level. World number one Scottie Scheffler, who had been a strong contender early in the tournament, struggled on Friday. After a promising start that saw him reach nine‑under, a wayward approach on the 14th landed in water, resulting in a double‑bogey six.
He then bogeyed the par‑3 17th after a poor tee shot and an awkward lie in the rough that caused his ball to skid 34 feet past the hole. Scheffler summed up his misfortune with a shrug: "Just got a bad break, but that happens." He finished with a birdie on 18, ending his day on a positive note, but he will need a stellar weekend to chase his first victory since the Desert Classic in January. Kim's round also highlighted a broader trend on the 2026 PGA Tour, where five players—Blades Brown, Wyndham Clark, Si Woo Kim, Andrew Putnam, and Scottie Scheffler—had already posted 60s earlier in the season. However, Kim's 59 stands out as the lowest score of the year, underscoring his exceptional performance.
Looking ahead, Kim will aim to maintain his composure and continue his strong play over the weekend. The pressure of leading a PGA Tour event can be immense, especially after achieving a sub‑60 round that few have ever accomplished. Maintaining focus, managing expectations, and staying resilient after a historic round will be key to converting his lead into a victory.
For fans, the 3M Open continues to be broadcast live on Sky Sports Golf, with coverage starting at 7 p.m. on Saturday. Golf enthusiasts can also stream the tournament without a contract, ensuring easy access to the action. The tournament schedule for the 2026 PGA Tour remains packed with events, offering plenty of opportunities for players to chase low scores and for viewers to witness more memorable moments on the links.
In summary, Michael Kim's 59 at the 3M Open not only propelled him to the top of the leaderboard but also etched his name into the annals of golf history as one of the few players to break the 60‑stroke barrier. His superb putting, strategic birdie runs, and calm demeanor under pressure combined to produce a round that will be remembered for years to come.
As the weekend unfolds, all eyes will be on Kim to see if he can sustain his momentum and add another PGA Tour title to his résumé, which currently includes a lone victory at the 2018 John Deere Classic. The competition remains fierce, but for now, Kim's name is synonymous with excellence on the day he shot that unforgettable 59.