Full Breakdown
Si Woo Kim’s 60 Sets Up Five-Shot Lead at the 2026 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
5/23/2026, 1:13:55 PM
Record-Breaking Second Round at TPC Craig Ranch
South Korean Si Woo Kim carded an 11-under 60 on Friday, posting six birdies on each nine and reaching 12-under after the 17th. A wayward 6-iron on the 18th produced a bogey, leaving him at 18-under and five strokes clear of the field. The 60 ties for the second-lowest round in PGA Tour history; only 14 players have ever broken 60.
Renovated TPC Craig Ranch and Tournament History
The venue’s $25 million Lanny Wadkins redesign converted the former par-5 18th into a par-4, now the toughest hole in the event’s six-year run. Since the course’s 2024 overhaul, scoring has accelerated, but sub-60 rounds remain rare, with Jim Furyk’s 58 and 59 the only lower totals on tour.
Contenders Shaping the Leaderboard
Defending champion Scottie Scheffler sits at 13-under after a 63-round, three shots behind Kim. Jordan Spieth posted a bogey-free 62 to sit at 12-under, while Sungjae Im recorded a 61 that included a hole-in-one, also at 13-under. Brooks Koepka is 10-under after a 69, and 19-year-old Blades Brown sits 8-under, chasing a special temporary exemption. Kensei Hirata, Wyndham Clark and Tyler Duncan round out the chase.
Numbers That Define the Weekend
Kim’s 134 total (64-60) ties for the second-lowest 36-hole score in PGA Tour history, one shot shy of the tournament record set by Scheffler last year. The cut line sits at 6-under, and the field’s scoring average on Friday was 68.16. Only 14 players have ever recorded a sub-60 round, and Kim’s 60 places him among that elite group.
Stakes for the Players
Kim eyes his fifth career victory, his first since 2023, while Scheffler hopes to end a recent run of three runner-up finishes in four events. Spieth seeks his first win since the 2022 RBC Heritage, and Im aims to break a winless stretch dating back to 2021. Koepka, returning from LIV Golf, needs a strong finish to secure PGA Tour status for the remainder of the season.
Official Statements & On-Course Reactions
Kim said, “Everything was perfect, other than the last hole. I’ll still take it.” Scheffler warned that reminding Kim about a potential 59 would be “in poor taste” and likened the situation to “a no-hitter.” Spieth noted that finally finding a fairway on the 18th “gave me confidence” and praised Im’s ace as “one of the prettiest hole-in-ones I’ve ever seen.” Scheffler also emphasized his off-season work, saying he has been “working hard on it… to be more outwardly focused.”
Criticism & Opposition
Betting analysts give Scheffler 13/5 odds versus Kim’s 2/3, arguing that Scheffler’s ability to feed off Kim’s play often gives him the edge. The analyst adds that projected inclement weather on Saturday could compress tee times and add pressure to the leaders.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Everything was perfect, other than the last hole. I’ll still take it,” — Si Woo Kim, Player
- “I would say it would definitely be in poor taste to remind somebody they’re on 59 watch.” — Scottie Scheffler, Player
- “I thought making the par on 18, hitting the fairway on one, I just hadn't found any fairways,” — Jordan Spieth, Player
- “That was one of the prettiest hole-in-ones I've ever seen,” — Jordan Spieth, Player
- “I've been working hard on it, so it's not just a one-click thing, but I felt like I got a nice feel that it allowed me to be more outwardly focused.” — Scottie Scheffler, Player
Looking Ahead to Sunday
Saturday’s tee times have been moved up and grouped in threesomes because of a forecast of rain and wind. Kim must protect his five-stroke cushion, while Scheffler, Spieth and Im are positioned to challenge. The final round will determine whether Kim’s historic 60 translates into a tournament victory.
