Scottie Scheffler of the United States, the world's No. 1-ranked golfer, has drawn intense fan interest by entering the 3M Open, an event classified as a "B-tier" tournament on the PGA Tour.
According to the PGA, the 3M Open will be held over four days from the 23rd at Twin Cities TPC (par 71) in Blaine, Minnesota. The tournament's total purse is $8.8 million. Judged solely by total prize money, one of the measures of a tournament's scale, the event falls well short of the top tier. PGA Tour signature events carry a $20 million purse, while regular tournaments typically exceed $9 million in total prize money.
The 3M Open is also scheduled the week right after the Open Championship, the season's final major. The schedule requires players to cross over to the United States after fierce major competition in Britain. Moreover, with the playoffs approaching, most top-ranked players choose to rest. Although it is a regular tournament, fan interest inevitably tends to be relatively low.
But this year the situation has changed, as Scheffler's name appeared on the 3M Open entry list. It is his first time competing in the event, and it marks the first appearance by a world No. 1 since Brooks Koepka of the United States in 2019. Scheffler is the only player ranked among the world's top 10 in this year's field.
Why did Scheffler decide to enter the 3M Open? "I didn't want to take three weeks off before the playoffs," he explained. "I've heard a lot of good things about this event. So far it all seems to be true. The fans are kind too."
Scheffler's participation has dramatically changed the tournament's atmosphere this year. Golfweek reported that "with fan interest surging, ticket sales have risen 25% compared to last year," adding that "3M, the tournament host, has sold out all its allotted tickets and had to purchase more." It continued, "From the practice rounds, the venue was crowded with children seeking Scheffler's autograph. As Scheffler rode a cart to the driving range, he stopped several times, busy taking photos with fans."
Three regular PGA Tour tournaments remain this season: the 3M Open, the Rocket Classic, and the Wyndham Championship. The playoffs follow the end of the regular season.
The tournament is also an opportunity for Scheffler, as he could break his "title drought" that has continued for six months. After seven wins in 2024 and six wins last year, Scheffler reached 20 career victories at the American Express in January this year but has not added a win since. Whether Scheffler can succeed in turning things around at this event has emerged as another point of interest at the 3M Open.
