Scottie Scheffler quickly shook off the disappointment he experienced with his putting at the recent Open, turning his attention back to the PGA Tour on Thursday at the 3M Open in Minnesota. The four‑time major winner opened with a remarkable six‑under‑par 65, signaling a decisive rebound after a weekend that left him questioning his short game. Scheffler’s round placed him just three strokes behind the overnight leader, Ben Kohles, who had finished 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 at seven under par, a single shot ahead of Scheffler. The leaderboard therefore read: Kohles at 62, the trio at seven under, and Scheffler at six under after his first round. The world‑number‑one entered the tournament after a tied‑fourth finish at Royal Birkdale on Sunday, a result that was solid but came with lingering frustration over his putting on the links. At TPC Twin Cities, he began his round on the back nine and, by his own high standards, got off to a measured start.
He recorded his first birdie on the 12th hole and followed it with another on the 18th, even though his approach shot missed the green on the latter. From there, Scheffler gathered momentum. He birdied the opening hole despite again missing the green, and continued to add strokes saved on holes four, six and seven. Although an eagle attempt on the sixth fell short and a 15‑foot birdie putt on the 14th slipped past him, 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 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, undulating surfaces of a traditional links course and the more manicured, receptive putting surfaces he encountered in Minnesota. He also reflected on the mental shift required after a rough week.
"I felt like I was just on the wrong end of that last week," he said. "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." The golfer admitted that predicting a good putting day is almost impossible.
"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 ability to adapt quickly to the new conditions underscored his status as a top‑tier competitor.
While his putting at the Open had left him with a sub‑par score, the Minnesota greens seemed to suit his stroke better, allowing him to regain confidence and putt with precision. His performance also sent a clear message to the rest of the field: despite a recent setback, he remains a serious contender for the tournament title.
In other news from the 3M Open, England’s Jordan Smith made his return to the PGA Tour after a commendable tied‑18th finish at Royal Birkdale. The 33‑year‑old experienced a rocky start, carding a three‑putt bogey on the fifth hole, but quickly rebounded with a birdie on the sixth.
Unfortunately, his tee shot on the seventh found a water hazard, resulting in a double‑bogey. Smith steadied himself on the back nine, posting birdies on holes 13 and 17 to finish the round at even par.
The tournament continues to attract attention not only for the on‑course drama but also for its broadcast options. Fans can watch live coverage of the 3M Open on Sky Sports Golf starting at 9 p.m. on Friday, or stream the event without a long‑term contract through various online platforms.
The PGA Tour’s 2026 schedule promises more exciting events, and the 3M Open remains a key early‑season test for players looking to establish momentum. Overall, Scheffler’s six‑under opening round demonstrates how quickly a player can rebound from a challenging weekend, especially when the conditions align with his strengths. His comments about the differences between links and fresh greens provide insight into the strategic adjustments top players must make. As the tournament progresses, all eyes will be on whether Scheffler can maintain his form and challenge the leaders, or if another contender will surge ahead in the quest for the Minnesota title.