Slate Breakdown | The 3M Open

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As the 2023 PGA TOUR's regular season nears its end, there are only two weeks left for golfers to earn valuable FedEx Cup points and secure their positions in the top 70 of the standings. This year, the playoffs will only consist of the top 70 golfers, making it a more competitive field to get into compared to previous years when 125 golfers qualified. For Reignmakers PGA TOUR purposes, this change offers three no-cut events, providing high utility for all golfers who make it to the playoffs.

With the 3M Open on the horizon, anticipation is high to see which golfers will shine and land on the first page of the leaderboard come Sunday afternoon. As the competition intensifies, participants can expect a thrilling and closely contested event with golfers pushing to secure their spots in the playoffs.

The Tournament

The 3M Open, held just outside of Minneapolis at the TPC Twin Cities course, has quickly gained popularity among local golf fans, becoming a must-attend event in the area since its inception four years ago. However, this year's tournament faces some challenges due to its placement in the schedule. Taking place the week after The Open Championship and being later in the regular season, many of the world's top golfers may not be participating. Despite this, the prize money for the Reignmakers slate remains unaffected, offering an enticing total prize pool of $275,000.

As a regular or "premium" event on the Reignmakers slate, participants have the chance to compete for significant rewards. The top prize stands at an impressive $10,000 for participants at the ELITE and REIGNMAKER tiers, making the competition highly compelling for golf enthusiasts.

With the tournament setting and the slate's lucrative prize pool, the 3M Open presents a great opportunity for participants to engage with the event and enjoy the excitement of PGA TOUR golf on the Reignmakers platform.

Now, as we shift our focus to the host venue, TPC Twin Cities, participants can explore the characteristics of the course, which will play a crucial role in determining the outcomes and leaderboard standings. Understanding the course layout and its challenges will be vital for Reignmakers participants as they strategize and select their lineups for the event.

The Course

The course in focus for this year's Open Championship, Royal Liverpool Golf Club, is renowned for presenting a distinct set of challenges, characteristic of the links-style golf often found in this part of the world. For this edition, the course has been configured as a par 71, with a notable alteration from the previous two showings, which featured it as a par 72. This change involved replacing one par 5 with a lengthy par 4, much like how Pebble Beach modified its second hole during Major Championships.

Nestled just a stone's throw away from the Irish Sea, the course offers breathtaking views of the Welsh coastline in the distance, providing a picturesque setting for this prestigious championship. As the players take on this unique layout, they'll be tested by the coastal winds and undulating terrain, adding to the excitement and unpredictability of The Open Championship.

With its rich history and challenging design, this course will undoubtedly be a memorable battleground for the world's best golfers as they strive to etch their names into the annals of golfing greatness.

The Golfers

Indeed, the positioning of the 3M Open in the schedule presents a unique challenge, being sandwiched between a Major Championship and the FedEx Cup Playoffs. As a result, some of the world's top golfers have opted to take a break during this week. Nevertheless, there are still notable players who have made the trip to Minnesota to compete in the tournament.

Among the elite golfers present are Tony Finau, Cameron Young, Sungjae Im, and Justin Thomas. These players bring their exceptional skills and experience to the course, making them formidable contenders for a top spot on the leaderboard.

Additionally, Sepp Straka is one to watch, as he is currently playing some of the best golf in the world. His recent victory at the John Deere Classic and a remarkable second-place finish at The Open Championship demonstrate his talent and form, making him a strong candidate to continue his impressive run at the 3M Open.

Check out these golfers and more on the new Player Profile page by clicking here.

Three-Ball: 3 DraftKings Reignmakers PGA TOUR Targets

Cameron Davis

After standing by all week at The Open Championship, being the first alternate, Davis didn’t end up getting into the event as not one golfer withdrew. I’m sure that irked him a bit, and the only thing that will prevent that from happening next year is to play better here, right now. A great course for him to do exactly that, as he’s made the cut in each of the last three years here at this event, and has a game tailor-made for success at this course.

Will Gordon

It's not the first time we've seen efforts to elevate Will Gordon's presence in the golfing world this year. However, now is the perfect moment for his talent and potential to truly shine through. Currently positioned at 89th in the FedEx Standings, Gordon finds himself in a crucial and precarious spot. With only two weeks remaining in the regular season, he has a great opportunity to make significant strides in the standings and secure a spot within the top-70.

To achieve this, Gordon will need to deliver strong performances in the next two events. Two top-10 finishes or a combination of a top-5 and a made cut could be the key to propelling him into the top-70. The pressure is on, but it's also a chance for him to showcase his skills and prove his worth on the PGA TOUR.

Taylor Pendrith

Further down the FedEx standings, we find Pendrith, who is determined to make a late-season surge of his own. With impressive performances, securing top-15 finishes in two of his last three starts, Pendrith is showing signs of being in excellent form. Now, as he heads to TPC Twin Cities, his length off the tee could be a significant advantage, setting the stage for what could potentially be his third top-15 finish in four starts.

As Pendrith seeks to make a significant push up the standings, he knows he must finish the regular season strong. To secure a spot in the playoffs, he'll need an outstanding showing this week, likely finishing in the top 5, followed by another strong performance, possibly a top 25, in the following week.

Author Bio

Jason Rouslin

Hailing from the great, but little, state of Rhode Island, Jason decided that year-round golf was too hard to pass up. So, after 29 years of bitter cold, and only being able to play golf 4 months a year (comfortably), upended those roots and moved to the sunshine state, Florida. 5 years later Jason is the proud Dad of two young boys and a black lab Bella. . In his professional time he can be found diving into the DraftKings Reignmaker game, researching PGA Tour stats, and investing, with a heavy focus on equity markets. In his spare time, playing golf is likely on the docket. If not that, then it's likely something to do with Disney, as he enjoys just about everything, from the theme parks to the Marvel movies. Shoot him a message on Twitter @dfsgolfer23, he'd love to chat!

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