3M Open preview
TPC Twin Cities was the venue for 2022 3M Open were Tony Finau was the victor. The event returns to TPC Twin Cities for 2023 3M Open. Most of the top players on the PGA Tour are taking a break after The 151st Open Championship as the lowest ranked player in the field is world number 18 Cameron Young. Top 70 only qualify for the play-offs and Justin Thomas is under pressure as he is currently ranked 75th in the FedEx rankings.
Sepp Straka shot rounds of 62 and 63 to win the John Deere Classic a couple of weeks ago. He continued his good form at Royal Liverpool as Straka finished in a tie for second. In my opinion Straka is a definite to be on Luke Donald’s Ryder Cup team this September. I think that Straka will win the 3M Open.
Adam Hadwin finished in a tie for sixth in the 2021 3M Open which was also played at TPC Twin Cities. Hadwin is on track to make the play-offs as he is currently ranked 37th in the FedEx Cup rankings. Hadwin’s form has improved in the recent months as he shot four rounds in the 60s to enter a play-off at the Rocket Mortgage Classic which ended up with Rickie Fowler winning the event. I believe that Hadwin will finish in the top five this weekend.
Cameron Champ is a previous winner of this event as he won in 2021. Champ is currently ranked 149 in the FedEx Cup rankings and needs to start playing well again immediately. Champ is a big hitter and is going back to a place that holds special memories for the American. I think Champ will finish in the top five.
CT Pan’s best performance was a tie for third at the RBC Canadian Open. A bit of a long shot but I think Pan will finish in the top 10.
Mackenzie Hughes was tied for the 54 hole lead at the US Open in 2021 and went on to finish in a tie for 15th. Hughes is currently 26th in the FedEx Cup rankings and the 3M Open is a good opportunity for the Canadian to get inside the top 20.
The 3M Open is not the only event on this weekend as both Leona Maguire and Stephanie Meadow are participating in the Evian Championship. This is the women’s fourth major of 2023 and it would be fantastic if Maguire was able to have another great finish. Royal Porthcawl in Wales is the venue for The Senior Open Championship. Padraig Harrington finished second in 2022 Senior Open Championship and it would be fantastic if he was able to go one better in 2023.
Hope you enjoy the golf over the weekend.