Si Woo Kim delivered one of the most electrifying rounds of the 2026 PGA Tour season, carding an 11-under 60 at the CJ Cup Byron Nelson—only to fall one stroke shy of golf’s magic number, 59, after a rare bogey on the 18th hole.
The Round That Almost Was: 59 Watch at TPC Craig Ranch
In a performance that will be replayed for years, Si Woo Kim stormed through the first 17 holes of his second round at the CJ Cup Byron Nelson with a blistering 12-under-par score, putting him on the cusp of golf immortality. A 59—golf’s rarest and most coveted score—was within reach. But the 18th hole, a newly redesigned par-4 at TPC Craig Ranch, had other plans.
Kim’s approach shot on the final hole sailed over the green, forcing a delicate chip that stopped 19 feet short. His par putt, lacking the necessary pace, broke right, sealing a bogey and a final score of 60. It was a cruel twist for a player who had otherwise been flawless, carding 12 birdies, including a 17-foot curling putt on the par-3 17th that briefly reignited hopes of history. As Kim later admitted, “I hit it great and putted great. So everything was perfect, other than the last hole.”
Why This Round Matters: Context and Legacy
Kim’s 60 is the 16th sub-60 round in PGA Tour history, a feat achieved by only a select few, including Jim Furyk (who holds the 18-hole record with a 58) and Scottie Scheffler, who shot a 59 in 2020. For Kim, this round wasn’t just about the score—it was a statement. The 30-year-old South Korean, a four-time PGA Tour winner and Dallas resident, now holds a five-shot lead at 18-under 124 heading into the weekend, putting him in prime position to claim his third victory of the season.
The 18th hole at TPC Craig Ranch, redesigned as a par-4 for the first time in the tournament’s history, played as the toughest hole through two rounds. Its difficulty was a microcosm of the course’s new challenges: a $25 million overhaul by Lanny Wadkins added bunkers and undulating greens, but soft conditions from Thursday’s rain and calm winds kept scores low elsewhere. Kim, playing alongside world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler and five-time major winner Brooks Koepka, capitalized on the favorable conditions, making seven birdies in his first 10 holes.
The Competitive Landscape: Who’s Chasing Kim?
While Kim’s 60 stole the headlines, Scottie Scheffler quietly posted an 8-under 63, including a stretch of five under over four holes with a 45-foot eagle putt. Scheffler, the defending champion at the Byron Nelson, sits five shots back in a tie for second at 13-under, alongside Sungjae Im (who aced the par-3 7th and shot 61), Kensei Hirata, and Wyndham Clark.
Scheffler, ever the competitor, downplayed the 59 watch, saying, “I definitely wasn’t going to tell him anything about his round today as we were out there. I would say it would definitely be in poor taste to remind somebody they’re on 59 watch.” His focus remained on his own game, a testament to his mental discipline.
What’s Next for Si Woo Kim?
Kim’s post-round reflection was a mix of disappointment and pride. “I’ll still take it. Sixty is hard,” he said, acknowledging the rarity of his achievement. His decision to use a hard 6-iron on the 18th—over a 5-iron—may haunt him, but his overall performance was a masterclass in ball-striking and putting. With a five-shot cushion, Kim is the clear favorite heading into the weekend, but the chasing pack, led by Scheffler, won’t go down without a fight.
For fans, this round was a reminder of golf’s cruel beauty: a game where perfection is fleeting, and even the greatest performances can be undone by a single swing. Kim’s 60 will be remembered as one of the most thrilling near-misses in recent memory—a round that, for 17 holes, looked destined for the history books.
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