Scottie Scheffler quickly shook off the disappointment he experienced with his short game at the recent Open, delivering a commanding performance when he returned to PGA Tour competition on Thursday at the 3M Open. The four‑time major champion posted a six‑under‑par 65, instantly positioning himself just three strokes behind the overnight leader, Ben Kohles, who capped his round with a dramatic eagle to finish at 62.
Scheffler also found himself tied with Emiliano Grillo, Jackson Koivuniemi and Gary Woodland at seven under par, a single shot ahead of his own total. The world‑number‑one entered the tournament with a sense of urgency after a tied‑fourth finish at Royal Birkdale the previous Sunday.
Starting his first round at TPC Twin Cities on the back nine, Scheffler’s start was modest by his own lofty standards. He recorded his first birdie on the 12th hole, followed by another on the 18th despite missing the green with his approach shot. Those two birdies provided a solid foundation for the momentum he would later build.
From the very first tee, Scheffler began to assert himself. He birdied the opening hole even though his ball fell short of the putting surface, a testament to his aggressive yet precise iron play.
He continued the surge with additional birdies on the fourth, sixth, and seventh holes, showcasing a blend of distance control and accurate ball striking. While he missed an eagle opportunity on the sixth and a 15‑foot birdie putt on the 14th, his overall putting performance was impressive enough to rank him second in the field for strokes‑gained putting on that Thursday afternoon. "Fresh greens are a little bit easier than links greens," Scheffler observed, noting the subtle differences in surface texture and roll. He added that playing on links courses often means the ball will not roll true every time, a factor that contributed to his struggles at the Open.
"I felt like I was just on the wrong end of that last week," he said, reflecting on his recent putting woes. "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." Scheffler also admitted that predicting a good putting day is challenging.
"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 explained. "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 remarks highlight the mental resilience required at the highest level of the sport. After a disappointing showing on the links, Scheffler’s ability to reset his routine, focus on fundamentals, and trust his feel for the greens demonstrates why he remains a dominant force on the tour.
In other news from the tournament, England’s Jordan Smith made his return to PGA Tour action after a strong tied‑18th finish at Royal Birkdale. The 33‑year‑old experienced a rocky start, carding a bogey on the fifth after three‑putting, then quickly rebounding with a birdie on the sixth. However, his tee shot on the seventh found water, resulting in a double‑bogey that threatened to derail his round. Smith displayed resilience on the back nine, sinking birdies on holes 13 and 17 to finish at even par, a respectable recovery given the early setbacks.
The 3M Open continues to attract attention not only for the on‑course drama but also for its broadcast options. Fans can watch live coverage on Sky Sports Golf starting at 9 p.m.
on Friday, with streaming available without a long‑term contract. The tournament is part of the PGA Tour’s 2026 schedule, offering players a chance to earn valuable FedEx Cup points and world‑ranking points as they chase major titles later in the season. Overall, Scheffler’s swift bounce‑back underscores the importance of adaptability in professional golf. Whether adjusting to different green speeds, managing the psychological aftermath of a poor round, or simply trusting one’s swing, the world‑number‑one has shown that a single strong performance can reset momentum and keep him firmly in contention for upcoming events.