3M Open: Michael Kim's first words after carding 12-under 59 (!) at TPC Twin Cities
Michael Kim became only the 15th golfer in PGA Tour history to record a 59.
Michael Kim says he is thrilled to join the history books after becoming just the 15th golfer on the PGA Tour to record a 12-under 59.
Kim achieved the rare feat during Friday's second round at the 3M Open in Minnesota.
The 33-year-old drilled a 24-foot putt for birdie at the last at TPC Twin Cities to reach the magic number.
His compatriot, Jim Furyk, holds the record for the lowest round ever on the PGA Tour, with the American carding a 58 at the 2016 Travelers Championship.
"I kind of remember thinking on 18 that you have to go for it, 60 or 61 doesn't really make too much of a difference," said Kim, who also didn't drop a shot.
"To shoot 59 today was pretty cool and feels like I'm part of the history books."
Kim began his day in ordinary fashion, notching two consecutive pars before sinking five birdie putts in a row from the 3rd.
He made par at the 8th but sank a 12-foot birdie putt at the 9th to turn in just 29 strokes.
Kim put more circles on his card at the 9th and 10th and one more at the 12th before closing with four consecutive birdies from the 15th.
In total, Kim made 145-feet worth of putts.
"I made a really nice birdie putt on 16," added Kim. "It had a lot of break to it and it went in dead centre.
"There's a lot of water on 17 and 18 and I just kind of told myself like 'hey, this is the way - this is the moment to get into the history books and let's go for it, let's not try to luck our way into it, let's try to step up and hit some really good shots'."
Kim's 59 saw him reach a total of 14-under at the halfway stage.
Ben Kohles, Troy Merritt, Billy Horschel and the highly-rated youngster, Jackson Koivun, were within touching distance of Kim.
World number one Scottie Scheffler hit the turn as Kim completed his round and was only five strokes adrift of the lead.
"We still have a long ways to go and that guy named Scottie Scheffler is probably going to throw up a good score today anyway," said Kim.
"Nowhere near done and hopefully I can shoot a couple good ones for the next couple days."
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