After a riveting Open Championship last weekend at St Andrews where Cameron Smith lifted his maiden Major, the PGA Tour roadshow heads to TPC Twin Cities, Minnesota, this week for the 3M Open. With three of the world’s top 25 competing this week, it should make for fascinating viewing, especially with the FedEx Cup playoffs inching ever closer.
It could be a birdie fest at the 3M Open, and there are a few fascinating stats to bear in mind:
- The winner received 500 FedEx Cup points.
- There has been a $900,000 increase in the purse compared to the previous two years.
- Cameron Champ is the reigning champion and last year, his final round of 66 secured his third PGA Tour title.
- Matthew Wolff holds the 72-record at the 3M Open (263).
- Former tennis player Mardy Fish will be teeing it up this week
US betting sites will be swarmed with plenty of lines ahead of the 3M Open, so we have handpicked a few tips for you to pore over ahead of the first round.
Tony Finau ready to silence the critics
For a player of his ilk, it seems somewhat surprising that Tony Finau has only won twice on the PGA Tour in his career. He has been a perennial bridesmaid, but he has been on the comeback trail of late after missing five cuts earlier this season.
Although Twin Cities boasts 99 different hazards, Finau is generally long off the tee, and he can use that to his advantage to blow away the field. The American has hit some good form at just the opportune time, and since the PGA Championship, he has picked up three top-15 finishes. Although he wasn’t in contention at St Andrews despite carding a 66, he still finished T28, and he is heading in the right direction.
Anyway, Finau will be desperate to prove a point, and he could step into the winner’s circle this weekend. Currently, Finau is trading as the short-priced favorite at +1400 with BetMGM to take the honors, and that could be worth following up on.
Adam Hadwin to put in a strong showing
Of the golfers that have made some serious inroads this season, Adam Hadwin is one of those that fall into that category. The 34-year-old has only been on the PGA Tour for a couple of years, but he has a good previous record at TPC Twin Cities, recording a brace of top-10s.
When you factor in his T7 finish at the US Open last month, the Canadian is in form. He also ranks well in some of the key stats this campaign, including strokes gained around the green (.493) putting him in seventh spot for that key performance indicator, and he is 35th for scoring average (69.35).
There are plenty of risk-reward holes at TPC Twin Cities, including the seventh, and Hadwin could well find himself in contention. Currently, Hadwin is trading at a tempting looking +450 with BetMGM to finish in the top 5 and that could be a price worth following up on.
Jason Day home for the weekend
Jason Day has been hampered by niggles, and a back injury forced him out of the John Deere Classic. The Australian is still searching for his form of yesteryear and to scale the heights of the game once again. He was conspicuous in his absence at The Open last weekend, which was the fourth Major he has missed in the past eight.
As far as odds this week goes, Day is in longshot territory to win the 3M Open. Although he’s claimed two top-10 finishes this season, including the Farmers Insurance Open, the 34-year-old could well have another free weekend on his hands.
If you like the Cut line market, then you can get a short-looking price of +163 with SugarHouse for Day to miss it.
