Michael Kim Shoots Historic 59 at 3M Open | GolfColors

A Round for the Ages at TPC Twin Cities

I've seen a lot of golf over the years, but there's something genuinely electric about watching a player stare down history and deliver. That's exactly what Michael Kim did on Friday at the 3M Open, piecing together a bogey-free, 12-under-par 59 that'll be replayed for decades.

When that 24-foot birdie putt disappeared into the cup on the 18th green at TPC Twin Cities in Blaine, Minnesota, Kim didn't just take the tournament lead—he became only the 15th player in PGA Tour history to break the magical 60 barrier. Arms raised, fist pumping, the 33-year-old knew exactly what he'd accomplished.

"To shoot 59 was pretty cool and feels like I'm part of the history books," Kim said afterward, with the kind of understatement that belies what it actually takes to go that low.

How Kim Built His Masterpiece

The Seoul-born American didn't ease into this one—he attacked from the jump. After making the turn at five-under through two holes, Kim caught absolute fire with five consecutive birdies from the third through the seventh.

That stretch alone tells the story of a man who couldn't miss:

An 11-footer at the third to get the run started
A 12-footer at the par-three fourth
An approach to five feet at the fifth, converted
A 10-footer at the sixth
A tap-in two-footer at seven

Kim added back-to-back birdies at nine and ten, another at 12, and then came the moment of truth: four holes to play, needing to keep the pedal down if he wanted to join the most exclusive club in golf.

The Closing Stretch That Made History

With water lurking on both 17 and 18, plenty of players would've played it safe. Not Kim. Not on this day.

"I kind of remember thinking on 18 that you have to go for it, 60 or 61 doesn't really make too much of a difference," he explained. "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."

He birdied 15 from just inside 12 feet. Then came a 13-footer with serious break at 16 that "went in dead centre." A 17-footer at the treacherous par-three 17th kept the dream alive. And finally, that 24-foot bomb on 18 to seal it.

Twelve birdies. Zero bogeys. A number that only 14 other players have reached on the PGA Tour.

Putting Kim's 59 in Perspective

For context, Jim Furyk holds the all-time Tour record with his 58 at the 2016 Travelers Championship. Furyk also shot 59 at the 2013 BMW Championship, making him one of the rare players to crack 60 twice.

Kim's previous career-best round was a 62—impressive by any standard, but a full seven shots higher than what he managed Friday. His lone PGA Tour victory came at the 2018 John Deere Classic, and while he's been a solid Tour presence, nobody had "historic 59" circled on their Kim bingo card heading into this week.

That's golf for you. Magic happens when you least expect it.

The Tournament Picture

Kim's 59 gives him a commanding three-shot lead at 14-under through two rounds. Ben Kohles, Emiliano Grillo, and Cameron Phillips are tied for second at 11-under, with Justin Koivun and Troy Merritt lurking at 10-under.

World number one Scottie Scheffler sits seven shots back at seven-under—not out of it by any means, but he'll need something special to chase down a man who just proved he's capable of the extraordinary.

Ireland's Seamus Power is at six-under, while England's Josh Parry and Jordan Smith are at four-under and three-under respectively.

The Takeaway

Michael Kim's 59 is a reminder of why we watch this sport. On any given day, any player can tap into something transcendent. Kim made 12 birdies, never flinched when the pressure mounted on the closing holes, and earned his place alongside golf's immortals. Now comes the hard part: carrying a three-shot lead into the weekend with every eye on him. But for one afternoon in Minnesota, everything clicked—and that's something nobody can ever take away.