Scottie Scheffler quickly shook off the disappointment of his recent putting difficulties at The Open, delivering a commanding performance when he returned to PGA Tour competition on Thursday at the 3M Open in Minnesota. The four‑time major winner opened with a six‑under‑par 65, positioning himself just three strokes behind the overnight leader, Ben Kohles, who concluded his round with a dramatic eagle on the final hole to post a 62. Close on his heels were Emiliano Grillo, Jackson Koivuniemi and Gary Woodland, each sitting one shot ahead of Scheffler at seven under par. The world‑number‑one player had barely recovered from a tied‑fourth finish at Royal Birkdale the previous Sunday, yet he managed to find his rhythm on the back nine of TPC Twin Cities.
Although he started a little slower than usual, Scheffler recorded his first birdie on the 12th hole and followed it with another on the 18th, despite missing the green with his approach shot. The momentum built from there: he birdied the opening hole, again without hitting the green, and added further birdies on the fourth, sixth and seventh holes. While an eagle attempt on the sixth and a 15‑foot birdie putt on the 14th slipped away, his overall putting performance was strong enough to rank him second in the field for strokes‑gained putting on Thursday afternoon. "Fresh greens are a little bit easier than links greens," Scheffler observed, noting the subtle differences in how the ball reacts on the two surfaces.
"Part of playing links golf is the ball's not going to roll true every single time." His comments reflected a pragmatic mindset after a week in which his putter had seemed to betray him. "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 admitted that predicting a good putting day is more art than science.
"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. 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," he said.
Beyond Scheffler's resurgence, the tournament featured other notable storylines. England's Jordan Smith, who had impressed with a tied‑18th finish at Royal Birkdale, returned to the 3M Open for his first round of the week.
Smith's start was rocky: a three‑putt on the fifth hole resulted in a bogey, which he promptly erased with a birdie on the sixth. However, a wayward tee shot on the seventh found the water, leading to a double‑bogey. Undeterred, Smith rallied on the back nine, posting birdies on the 13th and 17th holes to finish the round at even par.
The 3M Open continues to attract a strong field, with Kohles' 62 setting a high bar for the weekend. His eagle on the final hole showcased the aggressive play that can quickly shift leaderboard positions in a tournament where every stroke matters. Meanwhile, the tight cluster of players at seven under—Grillo, Koivuniemi, and Woodland—illustrates the depth of competition and the likelihood of a tightly contested finish.
For fans eager to follow the action, live coverage is available on Sky Sports Golf starting at 9 p.m. on Friday, with streaming options that require no long‑term contract. The PGA Tour's 2026 schedule promises more exciting events, and the 3M Open remains a key stop for players looking to fine‑tune their games ahead of the summer majors. Scheffler's ability to rebound so swiftly after a disappointing putting display underscores his resilience and adaptability.
By focusing on alignment, routine, and confidence in his stroke, he turned a potentially demoralising week into a statement of intent. His performance serves as a reminder that even the best golfers can encounter off days, but with disciplined adjustments and a clear mental approach, they can quickly regain form.
As the tournament progresses, spectators will watch to see whether Scheffler can maintain his momentum and close the gap on Kohles, or if the leader will extend his advantage with another low round. Either way, the 3M Open promises high‑quality golf, strategic shot‑making, and the ever‑present drama that makes professional golf compelling to a global audience.