The 3M Open's Best Contenders

Forbes

4 days ago

BLAINE, MINNESOTA - JULY 27: Matt Kuchar of the United States acknowledges the crowd after holing ... More out on the 18th holeduring the third round of the 3M Open at TPC Twin Cities on July 27, 2024 in Blaine, Minnesota. (Photo by)
Heavy rains batter TPC Twin Cities in Blaine, MN, halting Wednesday's Pro-Am and further softening an already wet course.
The saturated fairways, receptive greens, and thick rough at TPC Twin Cities will favor long hitters even more this year than in the past. Previous winners include Tony Finau, Cameron Champ, and Matt Wolff. Last year's winner, Jhonattan Vegas, ranks 41st in driving distance on the longer side of the PGA Tour.
The 3M Open features its strongest field in years, with World No. 11 Maverick McNealy, No. 22 Sam Burns, No. 24 Chris Gotterup, and No. 29 Sungjae Im all in the lineup.
Sam Burns may seem the obvious favorite as both a long hitter and solid putter, but he has played the tournament just twice in the past five years, finishing T-12 and T-32. McNealy, meanwhile, has a stronger track record at the event, with a 3rd-place finish and a T-16.
Chris Gotterup enters on a hot streak after winning the Scottish Open and finishing third at The Open Championship. While he has two previous appearances at the 3M Open without a top-25 finish, his power off the tee makes him well suited to the softened course. However, back-to-back high-pressure weeks could lead to fatigue.
PEBBLE BEACH, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 03: Keith Mitchell of the United States plays a shot from a ... More bunker during the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am at Pebble Beach Golf Links on February 03, 2024 in Pebble Beach, California. (Photo by)
Keith Mitchell has had a lukewarm season but currently ranks 13th in strokes gained off the tee. A rare visitor to Minnesota, Mitchell needs a strong performance to stay on track for the FedEx Cup Playoffs in Memphis. While his putting has been cold, a few hot rounds could make him a legitimate contender.
Hometown favorite Franky Capan III returns to the field. He made the cut in a previous 3M Open appearance and, following a strong 2024 season on the Korn Ferry Tour, expectations are high for him to do the same or better this year.
When choosing a potential winner at this year's 3M Open, lean heavily on driving and putting stats. Birdies are a must. With wind expected to pick up on Saturday and Sunday and the course playing soft, performance off the tee will be critical.