The Final Stretch Begins at TPC Twin Cities
The PGA TOUR is set to kick off the final three-event stretch of the regular season at the 3M Open, hosted at TPC Twin Cities. This event marks the eighth playing of the tournament in Blaine, Minnesota, and comes with the intensity of the FedExCup Playoffs just around the corner. A field of 144 players has gathered in the "land of 10,000 lakes" for what has historically been a high-scoring affair; the average winning score over the first seven editions of the tournament sits at better than 19-under par. With the course set up at 7,431 yards as a par 71, players are looking to find their rhythm as the season winds down.
The Betting Favorites
Leading the betting boards for this week’s action are two prominent names: Scottie Scheffler and 2025 champion Kurt Kitayama. Scheffler, who enters as the No. 1 player in the FedExCup standings, is listed at +270. Making his tournament debut, Scheffler continues his 2026 trend of teeing it up the week following a major championship. His recent performance includes a T4 finish at The Open Championship at Royal Birkdale, where he demonstrated impressive iron play. As a leader on the TOUR in Birdie Average and Greens in Regulation, he is viewed as a player who can push the accelerator at a venue that demands aggressive scoring.
Kurt Kitayama, the 2025 champion, returns at +2200 to defend his title. Kitayama’s victory last year was his second career win on the PGA TOUR. His performance in Minnesota is historically strong, with an aggregate of 36-under par across his two visits to the course, including a T6 finish on his first appearance. The 32-year-old Californian has been consistent this season, cashing 16 times in 18 starts, and currently ranks 10th on TOUR in Strokes Gained: Approach.
Players to Watch
Maverick McNealy (+2700) rounds out the players listed shorter than +3000. Having previously recorded a T3 finish at the 3M Open, McNealy has proven his ability to contend in a shootout. He is a strong putter, ranking 25th in Birdie Average on the TOUR this season.
Several notable players are listed at +3000, including Masters champion Hideki Matsuyama. With 11 career victories, Matsuyama has shown remarkable consistency, making the cut in 28 consecutive starts. He is joined at the +3000 mark by Keith Mitchell and newcomer Jackson Koivun. Mitchell has had success at TPC Twin Cities, having finished T5 or better twice in six previous visits. Meanwhile, Koivun, the 21-year-old former Auburn standout and three-time SEC individual champion, is navigating his professional career after turning pro following a T23 finish at the U.S. Open earlier this summer.
Tom Kim (+3300) also brings significant momentum into the event. Following a solo third at the U.S. Open and a victory at the Genesis Scottish Open, Kim has demonstrated strong form. After missing the cut at The Open Championship, he has arrived early in Minnesota to prepare for a track where he has consistently performed well, posting six of eight rounds in the 60s.
Jake Knapp (+3300) returns looking to improve on his third-place finish in 2025. His performance last year saw him sit one shot off the lead after 36 holes, ultimately ending the week as one of six players to finish at 20-under par or better.
Betting Landscape
Beyond the headliners, the field features a wide spectrum of talent. Previous winners of the 3M Open, such as Lee Hodges (+10000), Tony Finau (+6000), and Cameron Champ (+25000), are also in the mix. The betting board is crowded with competitive players, including Gary Woodland, Corey Conners, and Jason Day, all looking to capture a win as the regular season concludes. As the competition heats up in Minnesota, the focus will remain on who can best navigate the water hazards—present on 15 holes—and capitalize on the scoring opportunities at TPC Twin Cities.
