Heading Down the Homestretch: The 2024 3M Open
It’s already the tail-end of July and we’ve made it to the 35th out of 36 total regular season FedEx Cup events on the PGA Tour. This week they’re back in the United States and teeing off in Blaine, MN at TPC Twin Cities for the 2024 version of the 3M Open. There are a number of top-20 FedEx Cup players in the field this week, while many top names are noticeably absent as they prepare for the Olympic competition in France. Defending champion, Lee Hodges, currently finds himself outside the top-70 in FedEx Cup standings and could use a repeat performance of 2023 to punch his tickets to the playoffs in 2024. Hodges won quite convincingly here in 2023 for his inaugural win on tour. He went wire to wire and cleared second place by 7 shots for the largest margin of victory on Tour since 2020, setting tournament scoring records along the way. Although his dominant performance last year certainly was not on anyone’s radar heading into the week, I do not expect him to repeat this year given his on-course performance in 2024. Hodges has 5 top-25s in 14 made cuts through the 22 events he has entered so far.
Additionally, many players will be looking to battle their way up the points standings with the final two regular season events playing out over the next three weeks. One player to keep an eye will be Joel Dahmen. His game has been rather up and down this season, definitely not up to his expectations or representative of his past performance as a higher level player on Tour. Currently he sits outside of the top-100 in FedEx Cup standings, his best finish was a T-10 at the RBC Canadian Open and a T-11 at The Players Championship. Neither of those results sparked any momentum to carry him to any level of consistency from week to week.
Surprisingly there are a number of FedEx Cup top-20 players in the field this week as well, due in part to the Olympic break coming next week. This includes Sahith Theegala (FedEx Cup #7), Akshay Bhatia (FedEx Cup #14), and Tony Finau (2022 3M Open Champion, FedEx Cup #15). Other notables in the field this week include Ryder Cup Captain Keegan Bradley, and The Open Championship runner-up Billy Horschel.
It’s quite possible we have another surprise winner this week, someone coming outside of the top-50 of the FedEx Cup standings looking to battle their way into the playoffs. Or, we could see some of the top tier players continue rounding out their games and pick up another trophy this season. Regardless, the next few weeks should set up for some exciting tournaments and entertaining golf. If you’re playing this week - good luck & go low! Now, it’s time for our expert (depending on your definition of expert…) observations heading into the 2024 3M Open.
Kevin from @LifeOffTheLinks: Keegan Bradley
After exciting news that my very first guest on the show, Webb Simpson was picked as Vice Captain for the Ryder Cup….I’m goin patriotic team USA this week with choosing our lead man for 2025, KEEGAN BRADLEY to make a statement this weekend and win!
T.J. from @TJBreaks80 & @BasicBogeys: Sam Burns
Coming off a great week at The Open (other than his final round) where he flew a bit under the radar I am going to be selecting Sam Burns this week to win at the 3M. If he was just able to string together a 4th good round last week he would have been top 10 and maybe even in contention. I think he could use a big win this week having not won on tour in 2 years other than his win at the WGC last year.
Jon from @LongleafGolf: Billy Horschel
Back to the States for the next PGA Tour event before the Olympic break and event number 35 of 36 for the Chase for the FedEx Cup. This means guys will be playing for their potential future on Tour, especially those well outside of the top-70. However, I think it'll be the guy out there grinding since Tuesday morning right after returning home from Royal Troon.
