Full Breakdown
2026 3M Open: Field, Odds and Playoff Implications
7/22/2026, 9:05:18 PM
Tournament Overview
The 2026 3M Open begins Thursday at TPC Twin Cities in Blaine, Minnesota. CBS Sports lists the par-71 layout at 7,431 yards; ESPN notes it can play closer to 7,200 yards because players can cut corners. Large greens and water on 12 of the 18 holes favor strong iron play. Historical winning scores hover around 20 under par when weather is benign.
Playoff Context
The event is one of three PGA Tour stops before the FedEx Cup Playoffs, giving players a chance to improve points and reach the top-70 cutoff for the postseason.
Key Contenders
- Scottie Scheffler – World No. 1, recent T-4 at the British Open. CBS Sports odds +260; Heavy.com +280. Seeking his first win of the season.
- Kurt Kitayama – Defending champion. CBS Sports +2500; DraftKings “without Scheffler” market +1800. Outside the Tour Championship cutoff.
- Maverick McNealy – CBS Sports +2700. Missed the cut at The Open and finished 55th at his previous event.
- Johnny Keefer – CBS Sports +6000. 25-year-old, third at the Scottish Open, second in greens-in-regulation.
- Hideki Matsuyama – 28-event cut streak, longest active on Tour. CBS Sports –300 to make the cut, +2800 to win; No. 37 in FedEx Cup.
- Ben Kohles – ESPN: fourth on approach, sixth tee-to-green, first in greens-in-regulation. Recent T-3 at John Deere Classic and a Korn Ferry win.
Statistical Insights
- Scheffler leads the season’s majors in relative-to-par scoring and strokes-gained.
- McNealy ranks low in approach (113th) and driving accuracy (122nd), while Keefer is second in greens-in-regulation.
- Ghim is 10th tee-to-green, 11th greens-in-regulation, but 124th in putting, indicating strong ball-striking.
- Kohles tops greens-in-regulation and ranks high in approach and tee-to-green, matching the course’s demand for precise iron play.
Odds Landscape & Discrepancies
- Scheffler: +260 (CBS) vs. +280 (Heavy.com).
- Kitayama: +2500 (CBS) vs. +1800 (DraftKings).
- Matsuyama: –300 to make the cut, +2800 to win; no conflicting odds.
- Course yardage: 7,431 vs. 7,451 yards; both note effective length can be shorter.
These variations show minor bookmaker differences, but all sources agree Scheffler is the overwhelming favorite.
Implications for the FedEx Cup
Scheffler aims to cement his lead ahead of the FedEx St. Jude Championship, the first playoff event. Kitayama and Matsuyama sit outside the top-70, making a win essential for qualification. Players such as Kohles and Suber view the 3M Open as a chance to boost rankings and secure postseason spots.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
- Scheffler’s odds differ by 20 points between CBS and Heavy.com.
- Course length is reported as 7,431 and 7,451 yards; both note a shorter effective playing distance.
- Several potential contenders (e.g., Tom Kim, Max Homa, Rasmus Neergaard-Petersen) appear in CBS previews but lack specific odds, leaving a gap in the betting landscape.
What’s Next
The field will compete through the week, with the FedEx Cup Playoffs beginning shortly after. Performances at the 3M Open will determine which players secure the limited postseason spots and shape the narrative heading into the season’s climax.
