PGA Tour History Made at 3M Open
On a sweltering Friday at the 2026 3M Open, Michael Kim left an indelible mark on PGA Tour history by firing a 12-under 59 at TPC Twin Cities. This achievement marked the 16th sub-60 round in PGA Tour history, joining an elite group of golfers who have accomplished this feat.
The road to this historic round was paved with incredible golf. Kim started his round with a pair of pars, but the dam broke on the front nine as he caught fire with five consecutive birdies from No. 3 to No. 7. He added another on the 9th to make the turn in 29. The momentum carried over to the back nine, but it seemed like Kim’s 59 watch was slipping away as he made just two birdies in his first five holes on the back side. However, Kim refused to give up, and his iron play proved to be the turning point. He picked up more than 3.7 shots on the field on approach, setting the stage for a thrilling conclusion.
The back nine was where Kim truly took control. He ran the tables on the way in with four consecutive birdies from No. 15 to No. 18, bringing him within striking distance of the magic number. With a par 5 to close out his round, Kim still needed to hole a 24-foot putt at the last for his closing birdie. He buried it with pace and let out a big fist pump, knowing exactly what he’d just accomplished.
The putt for 59 was a defining moment in Kim’s round, and it cemented his place in history. This achievement marked the first sub-60 round of the season and the first at TPC Twin Cities. Kim is the first player to shoot a 59 this season, and the last player to accomplish this feat was Jake Knapp at the Cognizant Classic a year ago.
Kim’s 59 was not only historic but also a much-needed boost for his season. He entered the event having missed the cut in his last three PGA Tour starts and desperately needed a big week to get off the playoff bubble. Kim began the week 65th in the FedEx Cup standings and would vault to 35th with a win, and after his 59 on Friday, he’s now got a three-shot lead with the afternoon wave still to play in Minnesota.
The impact of Kim’s 59 extends beyond his individual performance. It also highlights the incredible depth of talent on the PGA Tour. With this achievement, Kim joins an elite group of golfers who have shot sub-60 rounds, including the likes of Travelers Championship, Cognizant Classic, John Deere Classic, Northern Trust, Military Tribute at Greenbrier, Wyndham Championship, CareerBuilder Challenge, BMW Championship, Greenbrier Classic, and Las Vegas Invitational.
The 2026 3M Open has been a thrilling event so far, and Kim’s 59 has only added to the excitement. As the tournament continues, fans can expect to see more incredible golf from Kim and the rest of the field.
