Scheffler returns to Blaine as PGA Tour regular season reaches critical juncture
With only three tournaments remaining in the regular season, the 2026 3M Open in Minnesota serves as a pivotal gatekeeper for the FedEx Cup Playoffs, drawing a field of players jostling for position ahead of the Wyndham Championship.
The 2026 3M Open commences this week at TPC Twin Cities in Blaine, Minnesota, marking a decisive phase in the PGA Tour calendar. Running from July 23 to 26, the event carries a purse of $8,800,000 and features a course designed by Arnold Palmer with a par of 71 and a total yardage of 7,431. As the regular season approaches its conclusion, the tournament functions as a critical structural filter for the upcoming FedEx Cup Playoffs, with only three events remaining before the postseason begins.
World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler makes his tournament debut at this venue, seeking his first victory since the start of the 2026 season. His recent performance in the major championships, which included stops in Scotland and England, has been characterised by putting difficulties despite maintaining strong ball-striking metrics. This period saw Scheffler record his first missed cut in four years, prompting a return to competition at the 3M Open as he looks to stabilise his standing in the season-long race.
The stakes for the broader field are defined by the strict qualification criteria for the FedEx Cup Playoffs. Only the top 70 players in the FedEx Cup standings at the end of the regular season will secure a spot in the postseason. This threshold creates a highly competitive environment for players currently positioned on the margins of qualification, with the Wyndham Championship serving as the final regular-season event before the playoffs commence.
Defending champion Kurt Kitayama enters the tournament at No. 32 in the FedEx Cup standings, placing him on the outside looking in for the Tour Championship. He is joined by a cluster of notable competitors also navigating the pressure of qualification. Tom Kim, the winner of the Scottish Open, sits at No. 35, while former Masters champion Hideki Matsuyama is ranked No. 37.
Other significant figures in the field include Max Homa and Maverick McNealy, who occupy the No. 49 and No. 50 positions respectively, hovering near the top 50 bubble. Further down the standings, Johnny Keefer and Jason Day are positioned at No. 71 and No. 72, requiring strong performances to ensure their inclusion in the playoff field. The outcome of this week’s event will likely determine the final composition of the postseason bracket.
