Full Breakdown
Michael Kim Fires 59 to Seize Lead at 2026 3M Open
7/25/2026, 11:22:26 AM
Core Event: Kim’s Sub-60 Round Propels Him to Top Spot
On Friday of the second round at TPC Twin Cities, Michael Kim posted a 59, the 15th round of 59 and the 16th sub-60 round in PGA Tour history. He birdied his final four holes, finished at 14 under for the tournament, and opened a three-stroke lead over Ben Kohles, Chandler Phillips and Emiliano Grillo. The round was bogey-free and included eight birdies from more than 10 feet, capped by a 24-foot uphill putt on the 18th.
Background & Context
The 3M Open, the third-to-last event of the 2026 PGA Tour regular season, is played at the private TPC Twin Cities in Blaine, Minnesota. The course plays 7,431 yards to a par of 71 and has hosted the Tour since 2019. Historically, low scores are common; the average winning score over the tournament’s seven previous years was 19 under. Sub-60 rounds are rare on the Tour: only 16 have occurred, and just five golfers have gone on to win the event after posting such a round.
Data & Statistics
- Kim’s round: 59 (15th 59, 16th sub-60) -> 14 under, three-stroke lead.
- Cut line: 3 under; 66 players advanced to the weekend.
- Ben Kohles: 62 (career-best), 9 under, two-shot lead after round 1.
- Scottie Scheffler: 70 in round 2, fell seven shots back after a double-bogey on the 14th.
- Other leaders after round 2: Chandler Phillips and Emiliano Grillo at 11 under; Jackson Koivun at 10 under.
Official Statements & Responses
Michael Kim said the round felt “awesome” but emphasized that the tournament was only halfway through and that he needed to stay focused for the weekend. He described his mindset as avoiding a “protective” approach and instead trusting his shots, especially on the water-guarded 17th and 18th.
Scottie Scheffler reflected on his round, noting that early fairway misses forced him to manage trouble areas without making bogeys and highlighted the importance of keeping momentum and converting short putts.
Ben Kohles, after his 62, spoke about the confidence gained from recent performances and his goal of climbing the FedEx Cup standings.
Verbatim Quotes
- “I didn't hit a bunch of fairways early, but I was able to kind of manage my way around and get out of some trouble areas without making any bogeys,” — Scottie Scheffler
- “After John Deere, I think I talked to my team and feel like I put myself in position to play out here as much as I can," Kohles said.” — Ben Kohles
What’s Next
The 3M Open will conclude with the final two rounds over the weekend. Players in contention, including Kim, Kohles, Scheffler and Koivun, will aim to improve their positions while also chasing FedEx Cup points that could shape the season-ending playoffs. The cut line and leaderboard will continue to shift as the field navigates the windy conditions that developed later in the day.
