Tag: 3m Open

PGA Tour players react to Jay Monahan’s memo, updates on framework agreement

“I think we can all move on and try and make something good work.”

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BLAINE, Minn. — Commissioner Jay Monahan dropped a bombshell Wednesday night when he sent a memo to PGA Tour members giving numerous updates on the state of the Tour.

Monahan talked about the framework agreement with Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, golf ball rollback, the Tour’s 2024 schedule and much more. It was his first major move since returning from an undisclosed health scare earlier this month.

Players at TPC Twin Cities for the 3M Open had numerous things to say about the memo, including one golfer who was on the Player Advisory Council phone call with Monahan earlier that Wednesday.

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Here’s a look at what golfers think about Monahan’s memo.

2023 3M Open Sunday tee times, how to watch at TPC Twin Cities

Everything you need to know for the final round at TPC Twin Cities.

The first 54 holes of the 2023 3M Open at TPC Twin Cities in Blaine, Minnesota, are in the books, and one man is standing tall among the rest.

Lee Hodges, thanks to rounds of 63-64-66, holds a five-stroke lead over J.T. Poston (15 under). Entering the week, Hodges had missed the weekend in three of his four previous starts, the one outlier being a T-12 performance at the Genesis Scottish Open. He’s searching for his first PGA Tour win.

Poston, who claimed solo second with a birdie at the last Saturday, has been playing great golf. Before a T-41 outing at the Open, he tied for sixth at the John Deere Classic and Genesis Scottish Open.

From tee times to TV and streaming info, here’s everything you need to know for Sunday’s final round of the 2023 3M Open at TPC Twin Cities. All times Eastern.

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Sunday tee times

1st tee

Tee time Players
7:35 a.m. Augusto Nunez
7:40 a.m.
Ben Taylor, Jim Herman
7:49 a.m.
S.Y. Noh, C.T. Pan
7:58 a.m.
Nate Lashley, Kevin Chappell
8:07 a.m.
Trey Mullinax, Matthias Schwab
8:16 a.m.
Kaito Onishi, Justin Lower
8:25 a.m.
James Hahn, Russell Knox
8:34 a.m.
Ludvig Aberg, Doc Redman
8:43 a.m.
Beau Hossler, Vincent Norrman
8:52 a.m.
Brandon Wu, Frankie Capan III
9:01 a.m.
Brice Garnett, Paul Haley II
9:15 a.m.
Kramer Hickok, Adam Svensson
9:25 a.m.
Stephan Jaeger, Trevor Cone
9:35 a.m.
Hideki Matsuyama, Henrik Norlander
9:45 a.m.
Adam Long, Zac Blair
9:55 a.m.
Matt Wallace, Chad Ramey
10:05 a.m.
Ryan Gerard, Justin Suh
10:15 am.
MJ Daffue, Peter Kuest
10:25 a.m.
Max McGreevy, Grayson Murray
10:35 a.m.
Matt Kuchar, Mackenzie Hughes
10:50 a.m.
J.J Spaun, Jason Dufner
11 a.m.
Cam Davis, S.H. Kim
11:10 a.m.
Patrick Rodgers, Alex Noren
11:20 a.m.
Garrick Higgo, Tom Hoge
11:30 a.m.
Sam Stevens, Brandt Snedeker
11:40 a.m.
Matti Schmid, Emiliano Grillo
11:50 a.m.
Eric Cole, Callum Tarren
12 p.m.
Stewart Cink, Tyson Alexander
12:10 p.m.
Doug Ghim, Ben Griffin
12:25 p.m.
Aaron Rai, Dyaln Wu
12:35 p.m.
Chesson Hadley, David Lipsky
12:45 p.m.
Martin Laird, Kevin Yu
12:55 p.m.
Nick Hardy, Tyler Duncan
1:05 p.m.
Billy Horschel, Kevin Streelman
1:15 p.m.
Sam Ryder, Keith Mitchell
1:25 p.m.
Tony Finau, Aaron Baddeley
1:35 p.m.
Lee Hodges, J.T. Poston

How to watch

You can watch Golf Channel for free on fuboTV. ESPN+ is the exclusive home for PGA Tour Live streaming. All times Eastern.

Sunday, July 30

TV

Golf Channel: 1-3 p.m.
CBS: 3-6 p.m.

Radio

SiriusXM: 1-6 p.m.

STREAM

ESPN+: 8 a.m.-6 p.m.
Peacock: 1-3 p.m.

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Pair of 29s, Lee Hodges’ record-setting pace among 3M Open third-round takeaways

Lee Hodges is pulling a Brian Harman.

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BLAINE, Minn. — Lee Hodges is pulling a Brian Harman.

Last week, Harman led by five shots after 54 holes in his triumph at the British Open. This week, it’s a completely different set of circumstances, but Hodges’ lead is five with 18 holes to play.

The second-year Tour pro has played flawless golf and led after every round of the 3M Open at TPC Twin Cities. Coming into the week on the outside of the FedEx Cup Playoffs bubble, Hodges needed a big week to punch his ticket in the field at the FedEx St. Jude Championship in Memphis. He’s doing just that.

Although it may be a big lead, a reminder: last year in Minnesota, Scott Piercy led by four after three rounds and was up by that many on the back nine and lost.

3M Open: Photos | Merchandise

Here’s everything you need to know from the third round of the 3M Open.

Kevin Streelman’s 3D experience, packed leaderboard among 3M Open second-round takeaways

There are plenty of golfers in contention heading to the weekend.

BLAINE, Minn. — Lee Hodges is taking care of business.

After 36 holes in the 3M Open at TPC Twin Cities, Hodges leads alone at 15-under 127, holding a four-shot lead over Tyler Duncan and earning himself the final tee time come Saturday. Hodges had the second-best round of his career Thursday with a 63, and he followed that up by shooting 7-under 64 on Friday to increase his lead. He doesn’t have a bogey through two rounds.

He had seven birdies in the second round, and he was just able to finish before the second round was suspended due to darkness. Hodges nearly made an eagle putt on the 18th after the horn sounded, but he tapped in for birdie to increase his lead.

All of the leaders were in the clubhouse when play concluded.

Hodges, in his second season on Tour, hasn’t won and hasn’t even had a runner-up finish. He’ll look to change that this weekend.

Meanwhile, Duncan posted a bogey-free 4-under 67 to move into solo second after the second round. He has not made a bogey through 36 holes. Sitting at 113th in the FedEx Cup standings coming into the week, he needed a big performance and is doing just that.

3M Open: Photos | Merchandise gallery

However, there’s a group of four at 10 under that are all PGA Tour winners on the heels of the two in front, including the defending champion.

Here are some takeaways from the second round of the 3M Open.

Justin Thomas, Cameron Young lead list of notables to miss cut at 3M Open

Some stars are heading home early.

BLAINE, Minn. — Coming into the 2023 3M Open at TPC Twin Cities, the penultimate event of the PGA Tour’s 2022-23 regular season, there were plenty of golfers who needed to make a final push to get into the FedEx Cup Playoffs.

Lee Hodges is in the lead at 15 under after Friday’s action, and he finished his second round with a birdie putt after the horn sounded to suspend play. It was suspended due to darkness with a few groups remaining who will finish the second round Saturday morning.

However, plenty of golfers needing a good week in the Twin Cities are packing their bags and heading home early.

Those who missed the cut, which came at 4-under 138, included players who were making a playoff push and others who were hoping to make their respective Ryder Cup teams.

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The cut won’t officially be made until Saturday morning when the second round concludes, but the number is set.

Here’s a look at nine golfers who missed the cut at the 3M Open.

Caddie who Monday Q’d into 3M Open shares special moment with boss on final hole

“It was a dream.”

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BLAINE, Minn. — Erik van Rooyen’s eyes welted with tears as he stood next to his caddie in the interview area.

Alex Gaugert was holding his daughter in his left arm while trying to find words to describe what his past few days had been like. Gaugert’s family stood behind a handful of reporters watching as he detailed his week.

Gaugert, who Monday qualified into the 3M Open, is van Rooyen’s full-time caddie. This week, however, he played alongside his boss for the first two rounds at TPC Twin Cities.

“It was a dream,” Gaugert said. “It happened fast. Monday qualifiers, you know, never done one and to get through was pretty cool. Then the Tour allowed us to play together. That was really memorable and something we’ll never forget.

“I know after I qualified there was definitely a few tears shed and it was really, really cool. And all the support, all the caddies and even the players, it was nice to get that feeling where everybody’s kind of trying to — everyone’s lifting you up and telling you ‘good job.’ It was cool to kind of have the light shine on you for a week, so it’s fun.”

Added van Rooyen: “I was talking to a few people earlier in the week, when we were playing college together, this was what we were all talking about. Oh, man, we’re gonna play the PGA Tour together, we’re gonna room together, play practice rounds together. We get to share that a little bit with him on the bag, but with him playing a tournament, it was really, really cool.”

The duo were teammates at Minnesota from 2010-13. Gaugert became van Rooyen’s full-time caddie in 2019.

Gaugert finished at 6 over for the week, following an opening 6-over 77 with an even-par performance on Friday. Meanwhile, van Rooyen shot 3-under 68 on Friday and sits at 3 under for the week, right on the projected cut line as the afternoon wave gets underway.

On their final hole Friday, the duo embraced, celebrating an incredible week.

“You don’t get these special moments every single week,” Gaugert said. “This game’s hard and it was — it’s cool to share that with my best friend, something I’ll never forget.”

The moment was also special for van Rooyen, as it makes him appreciate playing on the PGA Tour even more. As far as Gaugert’s job security down the road?

“Oh, yeah, his job’s safe,” van Rooyen said. “Trust me, we’ve been through some highs and we’ve been through some lows together. Nothing can shake us, so we’re all good.”

Justin Thomas may have run out of time to make Ryder Cup team, FedEx Cup Playoffs

Justin Thomas has never missed out on the FedEx Cup Playoffs.

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BLAINE, Minn. — The expression on Justin Thomas’ face was telling.

He stood on the 18th tee box at TPC Twin Cities on Friday morning, mumbling to himself after his tee shot on the par 5 drifted too far right and into the water. He looked dejected. Defeated. Deflated.

He dropped a ball in the fairway and fired away at the green. Instantly, his body language told the story. Splash. His third shot also came up short in the water.

Thomas started the second round at the 3M Open sitting at 2 under par. That’s where he finished after an even-par 71 on Friday that definitely didn’t lack excitement. Thomas showed flashes of the player everyone knows he’s capable of being, including four birdies in his last five holes. But he also had poorly-timed mistakes that led to him missing his fifth cut in the last seven starts, like his double bogey on the par-5 18th.

With two weeks left in the PGA Tour’s regular season, Thomas came to Minneapolis hoping not only to make a FedEx Cup Playoffs push, but also to earn a spot on the U.S. Ryder Cup team. Now, he heads home early again to prepare for next week’s Wyndham Championship in Greensboro, North Carolina, with seemingly one final shot to accomplish both of those tasks.

Thomas didn’t speak with media after his round, but his facial expression walking into the clubhouse told the story.

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After his double bogey on the 18th, his ninth hole in the second round, Thomas bounced back with a birdie on the par-4 first. However, a poor tee shot on the par-3 fourth led to another double bogey, putting Thomas at 1 over. He needed four birdies to make the weekend and had only five holes to do so.

He got one on the fifth, hitting his approach shot to four feet. Another came on the par-5 sixth after reaching the green in two. Then on the par-4 seventh, he hit his approach from the rough to three feet and sank another putt. Three straight birdies, one more needed to make the cut.

On the eighth tee, a par 3, his approach sailed into rough, leaving a tricky pitch to a back right pin. His second shot didn’t leave the thick stuff, coming to rest just short of the fridge and a hill that would’ve sent his ball tumbling toward the hole. Instead, he chipped again and knocked in a bogey putt.

Then on the ninth, his final hole, his drive found the right rough, and he hit his approach to 30 feet. Thomas proceeded to drill the putt for birdie.

The two-time major winner went on an incredible run with four birdies in his final five holes, but two doubles and a poorly-timed bogey on his penultimate hole led to his demise.

Thomas said coming into the week he was trying to have more fun. He feels as if he is doing everything the right way, and the results just aren’t coming.

Before the 3M Open, he was projected to be 75th in the FedEx Cup standings. Now, he’s projected 79th.

Next week, Thomas will tee it up at Sedgefield Country Club with one final chance to earn his way into the FedEx Cup Playoffs. Additionally, he’s running out of chances to show U.S. captain Zach Johnson he deserves a spot on the Ryder Cup team.

In his PGA Tour career, Thomas has never missed out on the FedEx Cup Playoffs and only once, his rookie season, has he not teed it up at East Lake. Both of those streaks are in major jeopardy.

Tony Finau has blazing start, Justin Thomas battles weather at 3M Open

Catch up on the action from the first round in the Twin Cities.

BLAINE, Minn. — The first day of the 2023 3M Open at TPC Twin Cities is (almost) in the books, and the leaderboard is deep.

There are 17 players within three shots of the lead, and all but four of those played in the morning wave Thursday in Minnesota. Birdies were available, and they came in numerous ways as players did their best to start fast and position themselves for a great finish in anticipation of the FedEx Cup Playoffs beginning in two weeks.

Nick Hardy bent his club while swinging around a tree, yet it resulted in a birdie. He’s at 6 under. Billy Horschel, needing a run to make the playoffs, finally got some putts to drop and is lurking. Defending champion Tony Finau got off to a blazing start.

The weather horn sounded at 6:59 p.m. local time (7:59 p.m. ET), ending play with a handful of groups left on the course. Round 1 will continue at 9 a.m. ET on Friday, and with Round 2 scheduled to begin on time.

Here’s some key things you need to know from the first day of the 2023 3M Open.

2023 3M Open Friday tee times, how to watch at TPC Twin Cities

Everything you need to know for the second round action at TPC Twin Cities.

With major season in the rearview mirror and the FedEx Cup Playoffs on the horizon, the PGA Tour is back on the road to Blaine, Minnesota for its annual stop in the Land of 10,000 Lakes.

Lee Hodges took the early lead after a blistering, bogey-free 8-under 63 on Thursday at TPC Twin Cities. Hot on his heels are the likes of Hideki Matsuyama, Brandt Snedeker, Tyler Duncan and Kevin Streelman who sit T-2 after rounds of 7-under 64.

From tee times to TV and streaming info, here’s everything you need to know for Friday’s second round of the 2023 3M Open at TPC Twin Cities. All times Eastern.

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Friday tee times

1st tee

Time Players
7:45 a.m. Cody Gribble, Beau Hossler, Tyson Alexander
7:56 a.m. Cameron Percy, Eric Cole, Dylan Wu
8:07 a.m. Matt NeSmith, Carson Young, Kevin Yu
8:18 a.m. J.J. Spaun, Garrick Higgo, Lanto Griffin
8:29 a.m. Trey Mullinax, Chad Ramey, Andrew Landry
8:40 a.m. Robert Streb, Brian Gay, Charley Hoffman
8:51 a.m. Stephan Jaeger, Greyson Sigg, Davis Thompson
9:02 a.m. Ryan Armour, Aaron Rai, David Lipsky
9:13 a.m. Ryan Palmer, Adam Long, Ben Taylor
9:24 a.m. Jason Dufner, Peter Malnati, Harry Higgs
9:35 a.m. MJ Daffue, Brandon Matthews, Kevin Roy
9:46 a.m. Carl Yuan, Matti Schmid, Kaito Onishi
9:57 a.m. Nicolai Hojgaard, Daniel Gale, Preston Summerhays (a)
1:10 p.m. Zac Blair, Harry Hall, Paul Haley II
1:21 p.m. Mark Hubbard, Henrik Norlander, Justin Suh
1:32 p.m. Adam Hadwin, Patrick Rodgers, Ryan Fox
1:43 p.m. Nick Hardy, Billy Horschel, Tom Hoge
1:54 p.m. Sepp Straka, Tony Finau, Hideki Matsuyama
2:05 p.m. Vincent Norrman, Mackenzie Hughes, Sungjae Im
2:16 p.m. Nico Echavarria, Cam Davis, Jim Herman
2:27 p.m. Brian Stuard, Alex Noren, Sam Stevens
2:38 p.m. Grayson Murray, Nick Watney, Brandon Wu
2:49 p.m. Aaron Baddeley, Chesson Hadley, Callum Tarren
3 p.m. Martin Trainer, Lee Hodges, Justin Lower
3:11 p.m. Augusto Núñez, Kyle Westmoreland, Frankie Capan III
3:22 p.m. Scott Harrington, Trevor Werbylo, Thomas Lehman

10th tee

Time Players
7:45 a.m. Ben Martin, Kevin Streelman, Taylor Montgomery
7:56 a.m. Satoshi Kodaira, Chad Collins, Hank Lebioda
8:07 a.m. Nate Lashley, C.T. Pan, Harrison Endycott
8:18 a.m. K.H. Lee, Cameron Young, Sahith Theegala
8:29 a.m. Justin Thomas, Joel Dahmen, Gary Woodland
8:40 a.m. Emiliano Grillo, J.T. Poston, Chris Stroud
8:51 a.m. Will Gordon, Andrew Novak, Austin Smotherman
9:02 a.m. Scott Piercy, Brice Garnett, David Hearn
9:13 a.m. Patton Kizzire, Austin Cook, Sean O’Hair
9:24 a.m. Michael Kim, Kevin Chappell, Jonathan Byrd
9:35 a.m. Erik van Rooyen, Ryan Moore, Alex Gaugert
9:46 a.m. Ludvig Aberg, Peter Kuest, Ryan Gerard
9:57 a.m. Trevor Cone, Tano Goya, Derek Hitchner
1:10 p.m. Jimmy Walker, Kelly Kraft, Kramer Hickok
1:21 p.m. Sam Ryder, Doug Ghim, Ben Griffin
1:32 p.m. Robby Shelton, Austin Eckroat, S.H. Kim
1:43 p.m. Matt Wallace, Chez Reavie, Lucas Glover
1:54 p.m. Ryan Brehm, Richy Werenski, Matt Kuchar
2:05 p.m. Adam Svensson, Stewart Cink, Brandt Snedeker
2:16 p.m. Martin Laird, Tyler Duncan, Keith Mitchell
2:27 p.m. Christiaan Bezuidenhout, Doc Redman, Matthias Schwab
2:38 p.m. Troy Merritt, James Hahn, Max McGreevy
2:49 p.m. Dylan Frittelli, Russell Knox, Taylor Pendrith
3 p.m. Kevin Tway, S.Y. Noh, Zecheng Dou
3:11 p.m. Brent Grant, Noah Hofman, Sam Bennett
3:22 p.m. Michael Gligic, Eric Rolland, Caleb VanArragon (a)

How to watch

You can watch Golf Channel for free on fuboTV. ESPN+ is the exclusive home for PGA Tour Live streaming. All times Eastern.

Friday, July 28

TV

Golf Channel: 4-7 p.m.

Radio

SiriusXM: 1-7 p.m.

STREAM

ESPN+: 7:45 a.m.-7 p.m.
Peacock: 4-7 p.m.

Saturday, July 29

TV

Golf Channel: 1-3 p.m.
CBS: 3-6 p.m.

Radio

SiriusXM: 1-6 p.m.

STREAM

ESPN+: 8 a.m.-6 p.m.
Peacock: 1-3 p.m.

Sunday, July 30

TV

Golf Channel: 1-3 p.m.
CBS: 3-6 p.m.

Radio

SiriusXM: 1-6 p.m.

STREAM

ESPN+: 8 a.m.-6 p.m.
Peacock: 1-3 p.m.

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Billy Horschel finding form, great start at 3M Open in search of playoff berth

“It just validates everything we’ve been doing.”

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BLAINE, Minn. — Billy Horschel knows he has work to do.

The 2014 FedEx Cup champion is on the verge of missing the playoffs all together. He sits at 119th in the standings with two events left in the regular season.

Only the top 70 make the FedEx St. Jude Championship.

Horschel needed a strong start Thursday, and that’s what he got. The 36-year-old shot 5-under 66 in the opening round of the 3M Open at TPC Twin Cities, placing him in a tie for seventh after the morning wave. He sits three shots behind leader Lee Hodges. Although it’s only one round of golf, it feels like it has been a long time coming for Horschel, who admittedly has struggled most of the year.

“I feel like I’ve been playing this way for the last month or so, I just haven’t made, you know, the putts or got the momentum going,” Horschel said. “And I honestly didn’t make a lot of putts today, I made one putt outside 15 feet and that was on No. 2. Just played a really solid round of golf.”

Horschel started on the 10th hole and carded birdies on Nos. 11, 12, 16 and 18 to turn in 4-under 32. He made another birdie at the par-4 second before dropping a shot at the third. He bounded back with a two-putt birdie on the par-5 sixth and made three pars to finish his round.

To say this season has been a struggle for Horschel may be putting it lightly, considering his pedigree. He has missed nine cuts in 20 starts and hasn’t finished better than T-30 in a solo stroke-play event in 2023. (Horschel made the Round of 16 at the WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play and finished T-11 at the Zurich Classic, a team event). His best finish this season came in his first start, a T-7 at the CJ Cup in October.

2023 3M Open
Billy Horschel hits his tee shot on the 11th hole during the first round of the 3M Open golf tournament. (Photo: Matt Krohn/USA TODAY Sports)

Heading into the 3M Open, Horschel said he felt as if things were starting to click, even if his scores hadn’t shown that yet. On Thursday, it finally came together.

“It just validates everything we’ve been doing,” Horschel said. “Sometimes when you’re working hard and you see the results in practice and you feel like you’ve prepped well leading into a tournament and it’s not transferring over or you’re not seeing that in the tournament or seeing all the good work you’ve put in, it sort of can be a little frustrating at times.

“But I think it’s just more of a validation that we’ve been doing great stuff, and it was just a matter of time, as long as I didn’t become impatient, that we were going to start playing some good golf sooner or later.”

Lee Hodges leads after the morning wave, carding an 8-under 63, one off the course record. Hideki Matsuyama, Brandt Snedeker and Tyler Duncan are tied for second at 7 under.

Although Horschel isn’t leading, he’s in a strong position after the opening round. It’s a place he hasn’t been in some time, but he knows what needs to be done to make the playoffs. Thursday’s round was just the start.

“It could have been better, but I’m pleased with the way the game’s been trending the last month,” Horschel said. “I’m not shocked that I was able to play a quality round of golf today.”