Michael Kim Takes Three-Shot Lead After Historic 59 at 3M Open

Posted : 25 July 2026

Michael Kim heads into the third round of the 2026 3M Open with a commanding three-shot advantage after producing one of the finest rounds in PGA Tour history on Friday at TPC Twin Cities.

The American carded a flawless 12-under-par 59 during the second round, becoming the 15th player to shoot a 59 on the PGA Tour and recording the 16th sub-60 round in Tour history. His remarkable performance lifted him to 14-under-par overall after opening with a 69.

Kim's historic round featured 12 birdies without a single bogey and required only 21 putts. He caught fire early with five consecutive birdies from the third through the seventh holes before adding more birdies throughout the back nine.

The defining moment came on the par-five 18th, where Kim rolled in a 24-foot, four-inch birdie putt to secure the magical 59. The achievement placed him alongside some of golf's greatest names, while Jim Furyk remains the only player to shoot a 58 on the PGA Tour.

Reflecting on the milestone, Kim admitted the achievement still felt unreal.

"To be honest, I'm afraid I'm going to wake up from my hotel bed. It feels like I'm part of the history books, which is great," he said after the round.

Despite his dominant position, Kim remains focused on the task ahead. He stressed the importance of avoiding comparisons with Friday's extraordinary performance and acknowledged that the tournament is far from over.

"I think it will be important for me not to compare myself tomorrow to today's round. Today was an awesome day, but I'm only halfway there," Kim said.

Ben Kohles, who led after the opening round with a course-record-equalling 62, slipped into a share of second place after posting a 69. He sits at 11-under alongside Argentina's Emiliano Grillo and Chandler Phillips, leaving the trio three strokes behind the leader.

The final pairing for Saturday's third round will feature Kim and Kohles, with the duo scheduled to tee off at 1:35 p.m. ET. Grillo and Phillips will continue their pursuit as they look to close the gap before Sunday's final round.

World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler remains within striking distance despite a second-round 70 that included a costly double bogey and a late bogey. Scheffler starts the third round at nine-under and is paired with Japan's Hideki Matsuyama, with the group teeing off at 12:00 p.m. ET.

Billy Horschel and Brian Harman also begin the weekend at nine-under, keeping themselves firmly in contention should the leaders falter.

Third-round television coverage will air on Golf Channel from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. ET before switching to CBS from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. ET. Streaming coverage begins on ESPN+ at 8:00 a.m. ET as Kim attempts to convert his historic performance into a second PGA Tour victory.

Michael Kim Takes Three-Shot Lead After Historic 59 at 3M Open

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