Jon Rahm is the new world number one.
A -9 score at the Memorial was enough to see off Ryan Palmer and the English duo of Matt Fitzpatrick and Matt Wallace. Rahm finished +3 on the final day as he and other players in the top 10 all struggled to hit under par. Fortunately for the Spaniard, he still had enough in hand to secure his fourth PGA Tour victory.
This week’s 3M Open is held in Blaine, Minnesota just outside Minneapolis. The prize fund is well over $6m and another competitive field are teeing up on Thursday.
3M Open – The Course
Opened in the year 2000 and designed by Arnold Palmer, TPC Twin Cities offers over 6,500 square foot of green and provides players with the largest targets since the tour resumed. On a course set up with only three inches of rough, birdies could be the watchword this week in Blaine.
Last year’s winner Matthew Wolf came home with a 65 to finish on -21. All the way down to T46 players finished under par on double figures and with weather conditions looking encouraging, we could be in for another smash-up.
3M Open – Players
Over the last three PGA tournaments, we’ve managed to select a winner in Bryson DeChambeau (67/10) and two each-way selections with Ian Poulter (100/1) and Jason Day (40/1).
We’re now on the look out for value again and there’s no better place to start than with Tony Finau. The American started last week very well with a 66 & 69 before the wheels begun to fall off with a 73 as he ultimately finished with a disappointing 78. Admittedly, his form since the restart hasn’t been anything to get excited about, but I just wonder if he can take the positives from last week and the Rocket Mortgage Classic. He could be worth having onside at 14/1.
Lucas Glover was surprisingly 18 shots worse off at the Memorial than he was at the Rocket Mortgage Classic. Prior to this, he was in or just outside the top 20 in the previous four tournaments and I’m determined not to miss out when all four days come together. 33/1 is shorter than when I previously put him up at 63/1 but this drop in price reflects his positive form and his T7 position last year.
My final selection is Patrick Rodgers at 63/1. The 28-year-old finished in the FEDEX play-offs for the fourth consecutive season in 2019 and his 67% on greens in regulation looks overdue for an increase (with the larger greens). A respectable T18 at the Memorial might give him some confidence going into the weekend.
Prices correct at time of publication but may be subject to change.
