Scottie Scheffler quickly shook off the disappointment of his recent putting performance at The Open, turning his attention to the PGA Tour’s 3M Open in Minnesota where he opened with an impressive six‑under‑par 65. The four‑time major winner, who had been plagued by missed greens and errant putts during the British major, demonstrated that he could still dominate when his game clicks, positioning himself just three strokes behind overnight leader Ben Kohles, who closed his round with a spectacular eagle to finish at 62. In addition to Kohles, three other competitors—Emiliano Grillo, Jackson Koivun and Gary Woodland—were tied for second place at seven under par, each a single shot ahead of Scheffler. Scheffler’s rebound was especially noteworthy given the quick turnaround he faced after tying for fourth at Royal Birkdale on Sunday.
He began his first round at TPC Twin Cities on the back nine, and while his start was a touch slower than usual, he soon found his rhythm. After a birdie on the 12th hole, he added another on the 18th despite missing the green with his approach shot, showcasing his ability to recover and capitalize on short‑game opportunities. The momentum continued on the front nine, where he birdied the opening hole—again without hitting the green—followed by birdies on the fourth, sixth, and seventh holes.
Though he missed an eagle attempt on the sixth and a 15‑foot birdie putt on the 14th, his overall putting performance was strong enough to place him second in the field for strokes‑gained putting, a statistic that highlights his efficiency with the flat stick despite the earlier struggles. Reflecting on the different playing conditions, Scheffler noted that the fresh, manicured greens of a park‑style course in Minnesota are generally more forgiving than the unpredictable, firm surfaces found on links courses. "Fresh greens are a little bit easier than links greens," he said, emphasizing that links golf often presents uneven rolls that can thwart even the best‑trained putters. He added that his recent poor showing at The Open felt like being on the wrong end of a line, but that he had taken a methodical approach at the 3M Open, aligning his putts carefully and trusting his stroke.
"I felt like I was just on the wrong end of that last week. I got here and made sure I was lined up where I thought it was and made sure I was hitting it on that line and that was about it," he explained.
Scheffler also expressed a desire to better predict when his putting would be at its best. "Golf's funny. Some days you're hitting your lines and the line seems to be tracking toward the hole and other days it feels like you're doing the same thing and it kind of goes around the hole," he observed. "But today was a day in which I was able to hole some nice putts and that's why I was able to make some birdies out there." His candid comments underscore the mental and technical nuances that separate a good round from a great one, especially on the PGA Tour where margins are razor‑thin.
While Scheffler was making his statement, other players were also navigating the challenges of the opening round. England’s Jordan Smith, who had impressed with a tied‑18th finish at Royal Birkdale, returned to the 3M Open and endured a rocky start. He triple‑putted on the fifth hole, resulting in a bogey, but quickly rebounded with a birdie on the sixth.
Unfortunately, a wayward tee shot on the seventh sent his ball into a water hazard, leading to a double bogey. Undeterred, Smith steadied his game on the back nine, stringing together birdies on the 13th and 17th holes to finish the round at even par, demonstrating resilience and the ability to recover from early setbacks. The tournament continues to attract attention not only for the on‑course drama but also for its broadcast options.
Fans can follow live coverage on Sky Sports Golf, with streaming available without a long‑term contract. The PGA Tour’s 2026 schedule promises additional events, and the 3M Open remains a key early‑season test for players seeking to establish momentum heading into the summer swing.
Overall, Scheffler’s six‑under‑par opening round serves as a reminder that even elite golfers can experience fluctuations in form, particularly on the putting surface, but with adjustments and a focused mindset, they can quickly rebound. His performance in Minnesota positions him as a serious contender for the title, while also providing a narrative of redemption after the disappointment at The Open. As the tournament progresses, spectators will be watching to see whether Scheffler can maintain his high level of play, convert his early birdies into a final victory, and perhaps even climb into the lead as the field tightens around the leaders. The combination of strong ball‑striking, strategic course management, and improved putting will be crucial as he aims to add another PGA Tour win to his impressive résumé.