GOLF: Scottie Scheffler leads field in 3M Open debut

World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler is set to make his debut at the 3M Open this week as he looks to stay sharp ahead of the FedEx Cup playoffs.

The tournament begins Thursday at TPC Twin Cities in Blaine, Minnesota, with Scheffler entering as the clear favorite after deciding not to take an extended break following the major championship season.

Scheffler traveled directly from the United Kingdom after tying for fourth at the Open Championship at Royal Birkdale. The result followed an early exit at the Genesis Scottish Open, where he missed the cut for the first time in nearly four years.

Rather than taking three weeks off before the playoffs begin, Scheffler said playing in Minnesota was the better option for his schedule.

The 29-year-old has never competed at the 3M Open and believes the event will help him maintain his competitive rhythm heading into the postseason.

Despite not winning a tournament since January and going winless in the four major championships for the first time since 2023, Scheffler remains atop the FedEx Cup standings thanks to his consistent performances throughout the season.

He said consistency has been one of the strengths of his game, although he acknowledged that his performances have not yet been enough to add another victory this year.

Defending champion Kurt Kitayama returns after producing one of the tournament's most memorable finishes in 2025. Kitayama rallied over the weekend with rounds of 60 and 65 to claim a one-shot victory over Sam Stevens after barely making the cut.

Kitayama said strong wedge play helped fuel his birdie-filled weekend, while he adopted a more conservative approach during the closing stretch to secure the title.

The field also features South Korea's Tom Kim, fresh off his victory at the Genesis Scottish Open, Japan's Hideki Matsuyama, American Max Homa, and Canada's Corey Conners.

They will compete on the par-71, 7,431-yard TPC Twin Cities course, which has consistently produced winning scores between the high teens and low 20s under par since the tournament debuted in 2019.

Also returning to competition is Aaron Wise, who continues his comeback after stepping away from professional golf for nearly two years to focus on his mental health.

After missing the cut in his first six starts of the 2026 season, Wise has made the cut in each of his last three tournaments, highlighted by a tie for third at the ISCO Championship and a tie for 15th at the Corales Puntacana Championship.

Wise said managing stress throughout tournament rounds has been a key part of his return, adding that maintaining the enjoyment of the game remains just as important as performing well. -Field Level Media/Reuters