3M Open

The Arnold Palmer designed Twin Cities in Minnesota hosts the 3M Open for the 7th year on the trot. The first renewal of this event back in 2019 saw Wolff hold off DeChambeau and Morikawa in a thrilling affair which was dominated by an excellent tee to green game. 

Wolff topped that stat when winning here and Morikawa was 2nd in the same category finishing one shot behind. That hasn't quite been the case since with Thompson not faring as well from tee to green when winning but sitting atop the putting stats for the week. 

Similar played out in 2021 when Champ's long game wasn't the story behind him winning, but more so ranking 1st in SG Putting for the week. In 2022 it returned to tee to green specialists with the top three Finau, Grillo and Im all ranking inside the top five in SG tee to green. 

Two years ago Hodges topped the tee to green statistic for the week when winning, with approach play being the key element. Vegas was one of the longest in the field when winning last year. 

Clearly the big hitters can go well here but it's not necessary and if you lack in that department you certainly have the chance to make up for it on the greens.

3M Open Tips

 

 

3M Open Winners & Winning Score

  • 2024 - J.Vegas (-17)
  • 2023 - L.Hodges (-24)
  • 2022 - T.Finau (-17)
  • 2021 - C.Champ (-15)
  • 2020 - M.Thompson (-19)
  • 2019 - M.Wolff (-21)

 

Niall Lyons Golf Betting Tips

Sam Burns @ 16/1 (Win)

Sam Burns' remarkable run on the greens for the last year came somewhat to an end last week at Portrush but I don't think enough is made of just how exceptional a putter he is. In reality it should result in a few more victories but who can criticise a five time PGA Tour winner at 28 years old. Burns still has a long way to travel in his career and as I've mentioned recently how he handled defeat at the US Open was admirable. 

Some form with the driver is crucial heading to Twin Cities and he has shown plenty in that department since the US Open with great driving efforts at the Travelers and across the two links courses the past few weeks. His approach play was really solid last week in Portrush, an improvement since Scotland and if he can produce a similar performance with his irons this week then he should have a great chance to add to his tally. 

The putter shouldn't be an issue and with finishes here of 12-32-7 he is a worthy favourite. Wyndham Clark appeals a little at the prices also with him cutting a much happier figure these last couple of weeks but Burns gets the nod.

3.5pts WIN S.Burns 16/1 General

Taylor Pendrith @ 33/1 (Each-Way)

Back in February to my absolute horror Taylor Pendrith was backed into as shirt at 28/1 for a signature event - yes, an event that included Scottie Scheffler. He had posted two top 10 in the lead in, one of which was at Torrey Pines of course, the host of this year's Genesis, but nevertheless I was surprised just how popular he was that week. 

Since then top 5s have come in Texas and at the PGA Championship. It's no surprise he went well in Scotland finishing 13th in a very strong field and on a course that rewarded the bombers. His swashbuckling style off the tee wasn't suited to Portrush and he missed the cut by two strokes. 

TPC Twin Cities sets up much more for him, a venue on which he finished 5th last year despite a 3rd round of 73. This time we're getting 33/1 with Sam Burns and Maverick McNealy heading the betting. If he can keep it straight off the tee this week he'll have a big chance.

2pts each-way T.Pendrith 33/1 (1/5 6) Unibet, BetMGM

 

Victor Perez @ 100/1 (Each-Way)

With plenty of water to navigate here and ball striking being so important PGA National form is often a good pointer and for that reason and others I'm happy to include Victor Perez. The Frenchman has posted two top 20 finishes there in two attempts and although he is suited to the wind that blows there I feel he is worthy of selection in Minnesota. 

Perez ranked 12th in approach play in Scotland and joint led after day 1 with an opening 64. He ranked 9th in approach at Oakmont last month on route to a top 20 in the US Open. He is finding it a task to put all four parts of his game together in one week but Twin Cities may be perfect for his strengths. I wasn't expecting him to be quite this big a price. 

1pt each-way V.Perez 100/1 (1/5 8) bet365 8 place market

Gary Woodland @ 90/1 Each-Way)

Another in the same price bracket I'm keen to include is Gary Woodland. The 2019 US Open champion came close to getting back in the winners enclosure when he came with a wet sail in Texas earlier in the year and although it hasn't quite happened for him since there have been plenty of positives lately. He ranked 14th with his irons in Scotland and 1st in the same department at the Travelers a month ago. 

His ball striking looks in a good place right now and it's a case of the putter marrying with his long game at some point. That club fared well in Scotland being his third best effort of the year on the greens and should that club continue to be lukewarm then he can pick apart this Twin Cities track.

Missing his last two cuts here is a shade worrying but health issues have dominated in recent years and I prefer to look back to 2021 when he was lying 2nd heading into the final round.

1pt each-way G.Woodland 90/1 (1/5 10) Ladbrokes, Coral

 

Ben Kohles @ 200/1 (Each-Way)

Ben Kohles withdrew from the Barracuda after round 1 last week and I've yet to see a published reason why. For that reason I'll keep stakes to a minimum but I find it very hard to leave him off the list.

Kohles is a four time champion on the Korn Ferry Tour and his best finish on the PGA Tour to date was a score of 22 under par at Craig Ranch where he was runner up to Taylor Pendrith. 

Birdie fests that reward good ball striking may just be perfect for him and his long game this last couple of months (certainly up until last week) was in great shape. He ranks 10th in the field in ball striking over the last two months and 1st in strokes gained approach over the same period. 

He lacks length off the tee but as we've seen that hasn't been a necessity in every renewal here. If he tees it up hopefully he can put the hiccup behind him from last week and put his best foot forward.

0.75pt each-way B.Kohles 200/1 (1/5 8) bet365 8 place market

Brendan Valdes @ 450/1 (Each-Way)

Similar to when Matthew Wolff won this back in 2019 I'm going to take a flyer on a recently turned professional in the shape of Brendan Valdes. The 22 year old has already played in two US Opens and on his first PGA Tour start just three weeks ago he finished 41st in the John Deere Classic where his long game was in excellent shape and had a nightmare on the greens. 

Last week on the Korn Ferry Tour he shot rounds of 66-65-68-67 to finish in a tie for 3rd place. He looks like a fast learner and another birdie fest here could really suit. He set Auburns University records for birdies made and rounds in the 60s. This kid could be ready and there's some really nice prices out there.

0.75pt each-way B.Valdes 450/1 (1/5 8) bet365 8 place market