2023 3M Open Preview, Picks & Analysis

TONY FINAU returns to TPC Twin Cities in Minneapolis to defend his 3M Open title. It was the start of a purple patch of form that Finau would love to emulate.

Finau capitalised on a final-round collapse by Scott Piercy to secure what was his third PGA Tour title with a three-stroke victory. Finau mixed five birdies with two bogeys on his way to a four-under 67 at TPC Twin Cities, which saw him end the week on 17 under and ahead of closest challengers Sungjae Im and Emiliano Grillo after an extraordinary final day.

Scott Piercy appeared to be cruising to victory and held a five-shot advantage early in the final round, only to register six bogeys and a triple-bogey on his way to a final-round 76 and tied-fourth finish.

"I was playing great but every time I looked up it seemed like I was four or five shots back all day," Finau said. "I really got things going in the middle of our back nine and once I took control of the tournament it was a whole different mindset to try and seal the deal."

Piercy began with a four-shot lead and remained ahead by following a 10-foot birdie at the second by holing a 30-footer from the fringe at the par-five sixth, with the American still four clear at the turn despite three-putting the eighth and bogeying the ninth.

Finau had birdied two of his opening four holes and cancelled out a bogey at the ninth by rolling in from 15 feet at the 11th, which moved him within two when Piercy three-putt from 50 feet on the same par-four.

Piercy birdied the par-five 12th but blew the tournament wide open when he bogeyed the next and triple-bogeyed the par-four 14th, having found the water with his second attempt from a fairway bunker.

Finau took advantage with three consecutive birdies from the 14th - including a 30-footer at the 15th - to suddenly find himself four clear of the field, while Piercy three-putted from 20 feet at the 15th but made a two-putt birdie from the fringe to move back to 14 under.

An incredible break at the 17th saw Finau save par after his ball narrowly avoided cannoning off the grandstand into the hazard, keeping his four-shot cushion to the par-five last, where he found water off the tee but two-putted for a winning bogey.

(Image Credit: Kevin Diss Photography)

Finau would then go on to win again the following week. This season takes on a slightly different look. There is just one more regular event to play after this, the Wyndham Championship, before the FedEx Cup playoffs begin. By the end of August, the 2022-23 season will be done and dusted, so the 3M Open represents a great chance for those still looking to make their way into the top 70 who will head to the playoffs.

One of those looking to make a significant move at Twin Cities is former Masters champion Hideki Matsuyama, who has struggled with fitness and form this season. He has had plenty of top-25 finishes but just two top-10 finishes, a tied ninth at the Farmers Insurance Open and fifth at the Players Championship.

Matsuyama will be making his second start at the 3M Open. He was T7 in 2019 and had to withdraw last year prior to starting with an injury. He has won eight times on the PGA Tour and will be joined in Minneapolis by the likes of Stewart Cink, Jason Dufner, Lucas Glover, Jimmy Walker and Gary Woodland, all of whom could do with big weeks.

Tom Hoge, who finished tied fourth last year, also returns. A colourful character, Hoge has one victory to his name, last year’s AT&T Pebble Beach Pro Am. He also won the QBE Shootout in December with Sahith Theegala. Hoge, who is currently ranked 42nd on the FedExCup standings and 40th in the World, has four top ten finishes this season.

Billy Horschel is another who is desperate for an upturn in fortunes. One of the most popular players on the PGA Tour, he has been struggling horribly with his game for much of this season and is well outside the top 70 in the FedEx Cup standings. He has won seven times, including last year’s Memorial Tournament, the 2014 Tour Championship and the 2021 WGC-Dell Match Play. 

Following his runner-up finish to Finau last year, Sungjae Im also returns to the 3M Open with two career wins and two Presidents Cup appearances.

There will also be a lot of attention on Thomas Lehman, son of former Open champion Tom, who has been handed a sponsors’ invitation to play. “We are really excited that we were able to extend an unrestricted sponsor exemption to Thomas and add to the story of golf in Minnesota,” said Mike Welch, 3M Open Tournament Director. “We are certain area fans will enjoy supporting him as he plays in his first PGA Tour event.”

Lehman, whose father won five times on the PGA Tour, including the 1996 Open, won the 2016 Northern Am in Arizona and was 15th in the Big West Golf Championship. Lehman qualified for the 2018 U.S. Amateur in the Minnesota qualifier, shooting 72 and 74 at the Dacotah Ridge Golf Club in Morton. He missed the cut at the Amateur, held at Pebble Beach, which was won by Viktor Hovland.

Lehman turned pro in 2020 and currently plays mini-Tour events, mostly the Dakotas Tour. His father, who consulted on course renovations at TPC Twin Cities played the 3M Championship eight times and competed in the inaugural 3M Open in 2019. That year, Lehman shot an opening-round 67 and was among the top 20. He would finish the week T55.

Tournament Winners

It was won in 2019 by Matthew Wolff, in 2020 by Michael Thompson, in 2021 by Cameron Champ and last year by Tony Finau.

The Course

TPC Twin Cities is a par 71 that measures 7,164 yards. It was designed by Arnold Palmer and upgraded by Tom Lehman. The course record is 60, so you know that the scoring is going to be low. It is a tree-lined course that features no fewer than 27 water hazards.

To Win:

Tony Finau. Will relish his title defence

Each Way:

Sungjae Im. A machine

Each Way:

Billy Horschel. Desperate for a return to form

Five to Follow:

Tony Finau. Has no weaknesses

Sungjae Im. Just keeps grinding out top-10 performances

Billy Horschel. Looking for a confidence boost

Tom Hoge. Underrated

Hideki Matsuyama. Class act

Five Outsiders to Watch:

Thomas Lehman. Trying to follow in illustrious footsteps

Jason Dufner. The man with the waggle

Lucas Glover. Has shown decent recent form

Jimmy Walker. Still battling

Gary Woodland. Has lost his way