Si Woo Kim misses historic 59 with bogey on final hole at Byron Nelson

South Korea’s Si Woo Kim narrowly missed recording only the 16th sub-60 round in PGA Tour history, settling for a spectacular 60 after bogeying his final hole at the CJ Cup Byron Nelson in Texas on Friday.

The 30-year-old needed just a par on the newly renovated 18th hole at TPC Craig Ranch to enter golf’s most exclusive statistical club.

Having reached 12 under par following a magnificent 17-foot birdie putt on the penultimate green, destiny appeared to be firmly in his own hands.

However, the four-time PGA Tour victor fired his approach shot over the back of the closing green.

Cruel finish on the toughest hole

A subsequent chip left him nearly 20 feet short, and the resulting par attempt drifted weakly to the right to record his solitary dropped shot of the day.

Despite the agonizing conclusion, the Seoul native still signed for an exceptional 11-under-par round.

That remarkable effort secured a commanding five-shot advantage at the tournament’s halfway stage.

Redesigned closer proves decisive

The final hole in McKinney represents a much stiffer test this year following a $25m (£19.9m) course overhaul masterminded by major champion Lanny Wadkins.

Previously played as an accessible par five during the event’s first six editions at the venue, it has now been converted into a demanding par four.

Early scoring statistics vindicate the redesign, with the 18th ranking as the most difficult hole on the entire layout over the opening two rounds.