Golfer Michael Kim Nails 59 at 3M Open for History

Michael Kim stood over a 24-foot putt with history on the line, and he didn't flinch.

The 33-year-old golfer drained the birdie putt on the 18th hole Friday at the 3M Open in Minnesota, shooting a stunning 59 to become just the 16th player ever to break 60 on the PGA Tour. After the ball dropped, Kim celebrated with huge fist pumps that showed exactly what the moment meant.

"I tend to leave those short when it's that uphill and I just, last thing was just get it there, just don't leave it short," Kim said. He certainly didn't.

Kim knew what was at stake heading into the final holes. Instead of playing it safe, he chose to attack.

"This is the moment to get into the history books, and let's go for it," Kim told himself. "Let's not try to luck our way into it. Let's try to step up and hit some really good shots."

And step up he did. Kim went on fire multiple times during his round, making five straight birdies starting on the third hole. After a single par, he birdied three of the next four holes, then finished with four straight birdies to seal the historic score.

His putter was absolute magic. Eight of his 11 birdies came from more than 10 feet away.

"When you hit a putt, and it does exactly what you kind of envisioned before you hit it, it's an awesome feeling," Kim said. "Felt like that all day out there."

Why This Inspires

Kim's round shows the power of rising to meet a moment instead of shrinking from it. He could have played conservatively, hoping to stumble into history. Instead, he chose courage over caution and delivered when the pressure was highest.

The historic day gave Kim a three-shot lead heading into the weekend. But true to form, he's staying grounded and focused on the work ahead.

"Today was an awesome day, but, still, I'm only halfway there," he said.

Kim joins an elite club that includes Jim Furyk, who holds the tour record with a 58 in 2016, and Jake Knapp, who shot 59 at the 2025 Cognizant Classic. Sometimes the best moments come when we decide to go for it instead of hoping it finds us.