Michael Kim cards 15th-ever 59 in PGA Tour history at 3M Open

Michael Kim shot a 12-under 59 on Friday at the 3M Open in Blaine, Minnesota, joining an exclusive club of only 15 golfers in PGA Tour history to break 60, according to ESPN's reporting. The bogey-free round was anchored by four consecutive birdies to close the day, capped by a 24-foot birdie putt on the final hole, and moved Kim to 14-under for the tournament with a three-shot lead over first-round leader Ben Kohles heading into the weekend.

Kim's round was exceptional in its long-range accuracy. Eight of his 10 birdies came from more than 10 feet out. He made five straight birdies beginning on No. 3, then added three more in a four-hole stretch starting at No. 9. On the final two holes, he made a 17-foot birdie on the par-3 No. 17, and on the par-5 18th, he hit a wedge from 124 yards that landed pin-high before rolling to the fringe, where he holed the birdie putt.

The 59 marks the fourth such round on the PGA Tour since 2024, per ESPN. Jake Knapp shot the most recent 59 during the first round of the 2025 Cognizant Classic. Jim Furyk holds the tour record with a 58 at the 2016 Travelers Championship. Kim's previous career-low round was a 62.

Kim's performance comes after a stretch of inconsistency. His lone PGA Tour win came at the 2018 John Deere Classic, and he finished second at the Valero Texas Open in April. Since then, across 12 tournaments, his best finish was a tie for 17th, and he missed four cuts, including the past three weeks at the British Open, Scottish Open, and John Deere Classic. Friday's 59 delivered his most dominant round on tour.

Ben Kohles, who led after the first round, shot a 2-under 69 on Friday to reach 11-under, leaving him three shots back. Kim shot a 69 on Thursday to set up the historic second day. The par-3 No. 17 and par-5 No. 18 at TPC Twin Cities both have water lining the holes, adding difficulty to Kim's finishing birdies.