Ben James Sinks 9-Foot Birdie Putt on No. 15 at 3M Open

Q: Did Michael Kim’s record 59 make him the clear favorite, or can Scottie Scheffler still chase him down at the 3M Open?

Michael Kim’s 59 made him the weekend leader, but not the clear favorite in any safe sense. He took a three-shot lead at 14-under after a historic, bogey-free second-round 59, the first sub-60 on the PGA Tour this season and a new TPC Twin Cities record. That gives him control, but not security. TPC Twin Cities has been yielding very low scores, and the leaderboard is crowded. Ben Kohles, Emiliano Grillo and Chandler Phillips were only three back at 11-under, with several others within range. In those conditions, one hot round can erase a lead quickly. Even Kim acknowledged that players who shoot 59 often do not go on to win. Scheffler is still very much in the chase. He was seven shots behind Kim after a second-round 70 left him at 7-under, tied for 13th, but he remains dangerous because the course rewards elite ball-striking and birdie-making, two of his biggest strengths. He also showed in round one with a 65 that he can go low here. His Friday slipped because of a double bogey at 14 and a bogey at 17, not because he was out of the tournament. The key point is that Kim has the advantage, but not a lock. On a course where 63s and 64s are realistic and “no lead is safe” has been the theme, Scheffler still has a real chance if he cleans up the mistakes and posts a low weekend round.

3 articles · Updated · PGA TOUR · Jul 23

Ben James holed a 9-foot birdie putt on the par-4 15th during second-round play at the 3M Open in Blaine, Minnesota.
The shot was one of the featured moments from Thursday's action at TPC Twin Cities, where players opened the July 23-26 tournament.
Tournament coverage also highlighted Brian Harman's 6-foot birdie putt on No. 18, while broader second-round analysis noted that no lead appeared safe with Scottie Scheffler in contention.