HEADLINE
Record Breaking 59 Vaults Michael Kim Into Lead At 3M Open
OPENING HOOK
Golfing history was made in Minnesota on a Friday afternoon when American golfer Michael Kim sank a pressure-packed putt to enter an elite and legendary statistical club.
WHAT HAPPENED
Michael Kim shot a sensational 12-under-par 59 during the second round of the 3M Open 2026, held at the TPC Twin Cities course in Blaine, Minnesota. Standing on the 18th green, Kim faced a challenging 24-foot birdie putt on the par-5 finishing hole. By converting the putt, he secured a sub-60 round, a rare feat in professional golf that instantly vaulted him into the tournament lead.
WHO ARE THE KEY PLAYERS
Michael Kim is an American professional golfer competing on the elite international circuit. Photographer Andrew Wevers captured the historic moment for Getty Images as Kim proudly posed with his historic scorecard following the round.
UNDERSTANDING THE LOCATION
TPC Twin Cities is a premier professional golf course located in Blaine, Minnesota, a northern suburb of Minneapolis. Known for its challenging layout and water hazards, the course regularly hosts top-tier professional golf tournaments, drawing crowds of sports enthusiasts from across the region.
BACKGROUND AND CONTEXT
Shooting a round of 59 is one of the most prestigious milestones in professional golf, achieved by only a handful of players in tournament history. The 3M Open is a regular stop on the premier professional tour, offering significant FedExCup points and prize money, which intensifies the competition among world-class athletes.
EXPLAINING IMPORTANT REFERENCES
A sub-60 round means completing the 18 holes of a golf course in 59 strokes or fewer, representing exceptional consistency and precision. The par-5 18th hole is the final challenge of the course, traditionally designed to offer risk-and-reward opportunities for long hitters seeking to finish with a birdie or eagle.
IMPACT ANALYSIS
This record-setting performance dramatically shifts the momentum of the tournament, placing immense pressure on the chasing pack of competitors. For Kim, this round elevates his career profile and establishes him as the player to beat heading into the weekend rounds.
WHAT HAPPENS NEXT
Kim will enter the weekend rounds carrying the burden and advantage of the lead, with fellow competitors adjusting their strategies to chase his historic score. Golf fans will closely monitor whether he can maintain his blistering form across the remaining 36 holes.
HERO PERSPECTIVE
Michael Kim signed for a historic 59 on July 24, 2026, at TPC Twin Cities in Blaine, Minnesota, cementing his name in the tournament's record books. Executing a 24-foot birdie putt on the 18th hole under tournament pressure demonstrates elite composure. This singular achievement rewrites the leaderboard dynamics and sets a new benchmark for excellence at the 3M Open.
CLOSING
As the 3M Open progresses into its crucial weekend stages, Michael Kim's masterclass in Minnesota will remain the defining storyline of the championship.