2026 3M Open Preview, Full Field And Odds
Following Ryan Fox's Open Championship win, the golf world turns to the 3M Open in Blaine, Minnesota, running July 23-26 with an $8.8 million purse. This tournament, typically lacking star power after a major, has received an unexpected boost: World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler has entered the field. Scheffler's participation is unusual for a "bottom-tier" event, adding significant intrigue. He is the heavy favorite (+265), with analysts predicting a dominant performance if his putting improves after struggles at Royal Birkdale. Hideki Matsuyama (+2800) is highlighted as a strong long-shot contender. Other notable picks for top finishes include Tom Kim, Keith Mitchell, Jake Knapp, and past winner Tony Finau, offering various betting opportunities.
The golf world is coming off the final major of the season, the Open Championship at Royal Birkdale Golf Club last weekend. The dramatic finish, which ended in Ryan Fox claiming victory, has left the next few tournaments on the schedule in the wake of such an important tournament.
Typically, the top players in the game take the week off after a major, unless it is a signature event. However, with the PGA Tour having already completed their eight signature events this year, tournaments that remain between the Open Championship and the FedEx Cup Playoffs remain ones which are filled with players trying to improve their status.
When you look at a tournament such as the 3M Open, it usually lacks the firepower of other tournaments which players have the option of playing; however, this year the 3M open got a boost when the world’s top golfer, Scottie Scheffler, entered the field.
Why Scheffler is choosing to play in what most considered a bottom tier event is anyone’s guess, but it does provide some star power to the field.
When it comes to picks for this event, I’d start with my favorite and long shot picks. The favorite pick is the winner pick I like the most. For the long shot winner, that is a golfer who has over +2000 odds to win. It is a long shot pick for a reason, and finding those can be like finding a needle in a haystack.
If I’m being completely honest, I never envisioned Scheffler playing in this tournament, especially after a major. Nonetheless, it is hard to look at the field assembled and see a way where Scheffler doesn’t win. Scheffler was phenomenal tee-to-green last weekend at Royal Birkdale, but couldn’t figure out the links style greens. If Scheffler can make some putts this weekend, it will be a run-away.
If there is a player who could sneak up on Scheffler and the field, and who has the prowess to do so, it would be Matsuyama. Hideki has proven he can play with the best of them, and at +2800 it would be a solid long shot play for the 3M Open.
I know you’ve heard this before, but if Scheffler doesn’t win, the odds of him being in the Top 5 are extremely good. Even though the odds are not on the plus side, I like Scheffler to finish Top 5, and if he wins we can compound our winnings.
Kim has had a roller coaster of a year, and recently ended a winless drought at the Scottish Open. Kim, in this field, has a great shot at finishing near the top of the leaderboard, and at +510 it just seems too good to pass up.
As I stated earlier, Matsuyama has the game to win this tournament, but I’m not asking for a win, just a Top 10 finish. At +245 odds, I like the value Matsuyama provides in this tournament.
When it comes to Mitchell, like Kim he has had an up-and-down season. Mitchell has the game to play with the very best on the PGA Tour, but often struggles to show that week-in and week-out. Either way, I like Mitchell at TPC Twin Cities this weekend.
Knapp had a great start to the season which was derailed by injury. All reports state he is now healthy and ready to get back to his previous form, but I’m just hoping Knapp can stay healthy and prove he is one of the better up-and-coming players on tour.
Finau has won the 3M before, and you feel for someone who is so beloved on tour but struggling to get the job done. Finau has missed out on most of the majors this season, and finishing well at a tournament like the 3M could help his cause moving into next year.
For bonus plays, these are picks which I don’t necessarily hang my hat on, but still provide value for some who want more exotic plays outside of the aforementioned picks. Sometimes bonus plays are parlays, double chances, triple chances, and even some fun plays for that particular event.