Hoey falters as Kim takes command with record 59
MANILA, Philippines — Rico Hoey's promising week at the 3M Open unraveled in heartbreaking fashion Friday (Saturday Manila time) as a pair of costly double bogeys on the back nine turned what looked like another strong round into a struggle for survival.
The Filipino-American hobbled with a one-over 72, a score marred by double bogeys on Nos. 13 and 18 and a bogey on the opening hole, wasting an otherwise strong four-birdie effort. Instead of climbing the leaderboard after an encouraging opening-round 67, Hoey tumbled 40 places into a tie for 54th at 139 — right on the cut line — leaving little room for error heading into the weekend of the $8.8-million PGA Tour event.
While Hoey fought to extend his campaign, Michael Kim stole the spotlight with one of the greatest rounds in PGA Tour history.
Kim drained a 24-foot birdie putt on the par-5 18th to cap a breathtaking, course-record 59 at TPC Twin Cities in Blaine, Minnesota. The spectacular performance vaulted him to 14-under 128, giving him a commanding three-shot lead over first-round leader Ben Kohles, who followed up his opening 62 with a 69 for 131. Chandler Phillips (65) and Emiliano Grillo (67) also shared second place at 11-under.
Kim's 59 was the 15th sub-60 round ever recorded on the PGA Tour and showcased near-flawless golf from start to finish. He ignited his charge with five consecutive birdies from the third hole, reached the turn in just 29 after another birdie at No. 9, added birdies on Nos. 10 and 12, then produced a dazzling finish with four straight birdies, punctuated by his lengthy conversion on the last to complete the historic round.
Hoey, whose PGA Tour campaign is backed by ICTSI, appeared poised to build on the momentum of his opening-round four-under despite a shaky start. After opening with a bogey on No. 1, he quickly settled down with birdies on the second and sixth holes. Although he wasn't creating as many scoring chances as he did on Thursday, he remained in position to post another low round.
A birdie from 11 feet at the 10th briefly reignited his charge, but missed opportunities soon followed. He settled for par on No. 11 and failed to convert an 11-foot birdie attempt on the next before disaster struck at the par-3 13th.
Hoey pulled his tee shot into the native area well right of the green, leaving himself roughly 48 yards from the hole. His recovery came up short and found a bunker, forcing him to reach the green in three before two-putting for a momentum-killing double bogey.
He responded impressively with a birdie on the par-4 15th to stay in contention for a strong finish, but another costly mistake awaited on the closing hole.
His drive at the par-5 18th splashed into the water, immediately putting him in recovery mode. After his penalty drop, his third shot found the rough, and another mishit left him in thicker grass. He eventually reached the green in five and two-putted for his second double bogey of the day, turning what had been another promising performance into a disappointing finish.
Despite the late collapse, Hoey managed to survive the cut, though he will need a strong weekend charge to regain the ground he surrendered over the closing stretch.
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