Scottie Scheffler quickly erased the memory of his disappointing putting display at The Open by delivering a commanding six‑under‑par 65 in his first PGA Tour outing of the week at the 3M Open in Minnesota. The four‑time major winner, who had been haunted by missed putts just days earlier, showed that he can rebound with poise and power, positioning himself just three strokes behind overnight leader Ben Kohles, who finished with a dazzling 62 after an eagle on the final hole. Emiliano Grillo, Jackson Koivuniemi and Gary Woodland all sit a single shot ahead of Scheffler, tied at seven under par, turning Thursday's leaderboard into a tightly packed contest that promises plenty of drama over the next two days. Scheffler's turnaround was swift.
After a tied‑fourth finish at Royal Birkdale on Sunday, the world number one headed to TPC Twin Cities and began his round on the back nine. He opened with a measured pace, posting a birdie on the 12th and another on the 18th despite missing the green with his approach shots. Those two birdies set the tone for a run that would soon snowball.
He seized momentum on the front nine, sinking a birdie putt on the very first hole even though his ball fell short of the putting surface. The momentum continued on holes four, six and seven, each yielding birdies that helped him climb the leaderboard.
Although he missed an eagle opportunity on the sixth and a 15‑foot birdie chance on the 14th, Scheffler's overall putting performance was solid 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 after his round. "Part of playing links golf is the ball's not going to roll true every single time." His comments highlighted the contrast between the firm, unpredictable surfaces he faced at Royal Birkdale and the more receptive, manicured greens of Minnesota. The shift in conditions seemed to suit his game, allowing him to find a rhythm that had been elusive just a week earlier.
Reflecting on his recent struggles, Scheffler admitted, "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 added that predicting a good putting day remains a challenge, noting the sport's fickle nature: "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." Scheffler's performance not only steadied his confidence but also re‑established him as a serious contender for the 3M Open title. With the field tightly bunched, a single round of solid play could catapult him into the lead, especially given his proven ability to generate low scores when his putting clicks.
Other notable storylines emerged from Thursday's action. England's Jordan Smith, fresh off a tied‑18th finish at Royal Birkdale, returned to the PGA Tour and endured a rocky start.
He bogeyed the fifth after a three‑putt, redeemed himself with a birdie on the sixth, but then found water on his tee shot at the seventh, resulting in a double‑bogey. Undeterred, Smith rallied on the back nine, posting birdies on the 13th and 17th to finish at even par, demonstrating resilience that could serve him well in the days ahead.
The tournament's schedule continues to build excitement, with live coverage slated for Sky Sports Golf beginning at 9 p.m. on Friday.
Fans can also stream the event without a contract, ensuring broad accessibility for viewers worldwide. Looking ahead, the 3M Open promises a tightly contested battle among several top‑ranked players. Scheffler's six‑under round places him within striking distance of the leaders, and his renewed confidence on the greens could prove decisive.
Meanwhile, Kohles, who currently leads with a 62, will need to maintain his aggressive play to stay ahead. The interplay of strong putting, strategic course management, and the occasional swing of fortune—such as water hazards or missed greens—will likely determine who emerges victorious. As the tournament progresses, the narrative of a champion rebounding from adversity will be a central theme.
Scheffler's ability to adjust his aim, trust his line, and execute under pressure underscores the mental toughness required at the highest level of golf. Whether he can sustain this form over the remaining rounds remains to be seen, but Thursday's performance certainly re‑ignited his campaign and set the stage for a thrilling conclusion to the 3M Open.