Michael Kim carded the 15th 59 in PGA Tour history on Friday at TPC Twin Cities, sinking a 24-foot birdie putt on the final hole to cap off a bogey-free round at the 3M Open in Blaine, Minnesota, according to tournament reports.
Michael Kim Joins Elite Company With Historic 59
Kim birdied the final four holes of his round to reach 14-under par for the tournament. According to PGA Tour records, this milestone marks the fourth 59 recorded on the tour since 2024, following Jake Knapp’s performance during the first round of the 2025 Cognizant Classic. Jim Furyk continues to hold the tour scoring record with a 58 shot at the 2016 Travelers Championship.
“Today was an awesome day, but still, I’m only halfway there so still need to kind of get focused up for the weekend,” Kim said, according to tour interviews. Kim opened the tournament with a 69 on Thursday and holds a three-stroke lead over first-round leader Ben Kohles after Friday morning play.
Chasing History Down the Stretch at TPC Twin Cities
Kohles finished his round with a 2-under 69 to reach 11-under par. His post-round media session was interrupted by spectator roars when Kim drained his historic final putt. “That’s sick,” Kohles said with a smile, according to reporters on site. “There’s a 59. I guess 62 wasn’t as good.”
Kim adopted an aggressive strategy rather than playing too cautiously on the water-lined par-3 17th and par-5 18th holes. “I just kind of told myself like, ‘Hey, this is the way, this is the moment to get into the history books and let’s go for it, let’s not try to luck our way into it, let’s try to step up and hit some really good shots,'” Kim stated. He followed a 17-foot birdie on No. 17 with a 124-yard wedge shot to the fringe on No. 18, securing his place in history with an uphill putt.
Recent Form and the Road Ahead
Prior to his record-setting Friday, Kim’s previous career-low round was a 62. His scorecard included five consecutive birdies starting at the 3rd hole and another three in a four-hole stretch beginning on No. 9, with eight of those birdies coming from outside 10 feet. “When you hit a putt and it does exactly what you kind of envisioned before you hit it, it’s an awesome feeling,” Kim noted.
The performance marks a sharp turnaround for Kim, whose lone tour victory came at the 2018 John Deere Classic. Although he finished second at the Valero Texas Open in April, his subsequent 12 tournaments included four missed cuts—most recently at the British Open, Scottish Open, and John Deere Classic. After evaluating his energy levels following the Open, Kim decided against skipping the Blaine event, telling reporters he spent a few relaxing days at home before arriving in Minnesota.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many sub-60 rounds have been played in PGA Tour history?
Michael Kim’s round at the 3M Open is the 15th sub-60 score recorded in PGA Tour history.
What is the lowest score ever recorded on the PGA Tour?
Jim Furyk holds the tour record with a 58, which he carded during the 2016 Travelers Championship.
Who held the lead after the first round of the 3M Open?
Ben Kohles held the first-round lead before Kim overtook the top spot with his historic Friday performance.
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