After a stunning 151st Open Championship won by Brian Harman, the PGA Tour returns to American Soil for the 3M Open at TPC Twin Cities. With Major Season now in the rear-view mirror, we’ll see a condensed field with many of the top names taking a short break before the run to the PGA Championship. This means there is plenty of value to be found on underdogs who have quietly been trending in the right direction.
3M Open: Get to know TPC Twin Cities
This is the total opposite to links golf. There’s no undulation, no silly pot bunkers to get stuck in, and no 30mph winds to gust your ball into Fescues. There are just flat greens, open fairways, and a consistent tree line on a course laden with water hazards.
Because of this, we should see a ton of birdie scoring, partnered with a ton of penalty strokes as the risk/reward level is so high. Tony Finau won here last year with a score of -17, and Cameron Champ won in the year before with a score of -15. Looking for Golfers who hit plenty of Greens in Regulation and have a strong birdie or better percentage could be a great idea.
3M Open: The favorites
| Hideki Matsuyama | +1600 |
| Cameron Young | +1600 |
| Tony Finau | +1800 |
| Sungjae Im | +1800 |
| Sepp Straka | +2200 |
| Ludvig Aberg | +2500 |
| Emiliano Grillo | +2800 |
| Justin Thomas | +3000 |
| Cam Davis | +3000 |
| Gary Woodland | +3500 |
The favorite going into this weekend is Hideki Matsuyama at +1600. He’s one of the best ball-strikers in the field and actually ranks 1st on approach from within 100 yards. This should generate plenty of scoring opportunities for the former Masters Champion who has been quietly creeping up the backstairs this season. Could this be his first win of 2023?
Among the favorites is Sungjae Im, who has ripped TPC Twin Cities to shreds during two 3M Open Starts. He came 2nd here last year and 15th in his other start. Im also comes into this week ranking 16th in Birdie average. In this field, he ranks second only to Cam Young in Birdie or Better % which could mean there’s some value to be had at +1800. He clearly feels comfortable here and is ticking all the right boxes.
Justin Thomas is an interesting player to note. I’ve backed him nearly every week in the hopes that his bad streak of play will finally end. No luck thus far, but JT now has the Ryder Cup on his mind, knowing full well that his place is anything but guaranteed. He has to start playing better and is a +3000 shot at an event where you could argue he is the best golfer in the field if we’re talking about careers. This could be a great spot to back him.
3M Open The field
Tom Hoge +9000 rolls into town looking for revenge. He came 4th here last year and most recently went through a spell of near-dominance, rallying to 4 top-10s. He came 19th at the Scottish Open before missing the cut last week, but he’s back on home soil and this is a weakened field. I love this spot for him.
Eric Cole +4500 is another golfer who fits the ‘dream profile’ for this course. He’s a strong short-game player who thrived at the Scottish Open before a horrifying final round. However, he ranks 2nd in total putting average and 2nd in 3-putt avoidance. A simple bounce back in a weak field should see him go well at the 3M Open.
Austin Eckroat +4500 is a name I’ve been having some great success playing in DFS formats this year. He’s an overlooked player who has had 3 top-10’s this year and ranks 3rd in longest putts And 34th in driving accuracy. If he can pinpoint his tee shots, there is every chance his approach play will be rewarded by huge greens where his long putting can push him into contention at the 3M Open.
Best 3M Open Betting Offers
Photo by David Blunsden/Actionplus/Icon Sportswire
