Introduction
Golf fans in Minnesota finally have something big to cheer about this July. The 3M Open field this year is one of the strongest in the tournament’s short history, and honestly, it caught a lot of people off guard. World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler is teeing it up at TPC Twin Cities for the very first time, and he is bringing a stacked group of major champions and rising stars with him. If you have been searching for details on the 3m open field, you are in the right place. This article breaks down everything you need, from the full player list to tee times, TV coverage and the biggest storylines heading into Round 1.
What Is The 3M Open Field?
The 3M Open is Minnesota’s only PGA Tour event, and it has been played at TPC Twin Cities in Blaine since 2019. The 3m open field refers to the full group of golfers competing that week, usually 144 players deep. This year’s edition runs from Thursday, July 23 through Sunday, July 26, and it sits right before the FedEx Cup Playoffs begin. That timing matters a lot, because it means the 3m open field is packed with players fighting to keep their season alive.
Full 3M Open Player Field List
The 2026 3m open field includes 53 players from the top 125 in the Official World Golf Ranking, with golfers representing 21 different countries. Some of the bigger names you will spot across the field include Scottie Scheffler, Hideki Matsuyama, Tom Kim, Gary Woodland, Kurt Kitayama, Jason Day, Tony Finau, Sungjae Im, Max Homa, Maverick McNealy and Jackson Koivun.
Beyond the headline names, the field is filled with grinders trying to save their season. Players like Erik van Rooyen, Joel Dahmen, Seamus Power, Lanto Griffin, Camilo Villegas, Luke List and Nick Dunlap round out a deep and competitive lineup. There are also up and coming names such as Karl Vilips, Christo Lamprecht, Ben James and Gordon Sargent, all looking to make a statement on tour.
Who Is Playing In The 3M Open This Year?
Short answer, almost everyone who matters right now except a few notable absences. The 3m open field this year features a rare appearance from the world’s top ranked player, along with a strong mix of past winners and hungry newcomers. Tournament officials confirmed the full field on July 17, and players had until 4 p.m. Central that day to lock in their commitment.
Top Ranked Golfers In The Field
Here is a quick look at who is carrying the most weight in the 3m open field this week.
- Scottie Scheffler, World No. 1, making his tournament debut
- Hideki Matsuyama, one of the betting favorites this week
- Tom Kim, fresh off a win at the Scottish Open
- Gary Woodland, a former U.S. Open champion
- Kurt Kitayama, the defending champion
- Sungjae Im and Max Homa, both chasing FedEx Cup points
I think Scheffler’s presence alone changes the entire feel of this tournament. When the best player in the world shows up somewhere new, it instantly raises the level of everyone around him.
Notable Withdrawals And Replacements
Every year, the 3m open field shifts a little as players pull out. This year, the biggest name to withdraw is Jordan Spieth, a three time major winner. Ryan Fox, who won the Open Championship just days earlier, also chose to skip the trip to Minnesota. That decision is not surprising at all, since players often take time off after the emotional high of a major win.
Charley Hoffman and Martin Laird were the first alternates called up to fill open spots. The tour also allowed a special path in for anyone finishing top 10 at the Open Championship or the Corales Puntacana Championship, which added a bit more late movement to the 3m open field.
Defending Champion In The Field
Kurt Kitayama returns this year hoping to become the first golfer to win the 3M Open back to back. He won the title in 2025, and his return adds a nice storyline to the 3m open field, especially with so many new contenders trying to knock him off the top spot.
Tournament Dates And Venue
The 2026 3M Open runs from Thursday, July 23 through Sunday, July 26 at TPC Twin Cities in Blaine, Minnesota. The course is a par 72 layout stretching 7,164 yards, designed by Arnold Palmer and Tom Lehman. Interestingly, the property was originally a sod farm before it became one of the region’s most respected golf venues.
Tee Times And Player Pairings
Round 1 tee times kick off early, with the first group heading out around 7:45 a.m. local time. Some of the featured pairings fans are excited about include:
- Scottie Scheffler, Sungjae Im and Hideki Matsuyama
- Kurt Kitayama, Billy Horschel and Jackson Koivun
- Gary Woodland, Maverick McNealy and Tony Finau
- Max Homa, Jake Knapp and Corey Conners
These groupings give viewers a real taste of how deep the 3m open field runs this year, mixing major champions with rising stars in nearly every wave.
How Players Qualified For The Field
Like most full field PGA Tour events, the 3m open field is built through the tour’s Priority Ranking system. This includes fully exempt tour members, conditional category players, sponsor exemptions and a handful of qualifiers. There are no Monday qualifiers for this event, so the field is set almost entirely through category status and rankings, with late entry paths reserved for top finishers at the Open Championship and Corales Puntacana Championship.
Where To Watch The 3M Open Live
You have several solid options to follow the 3m open field this week.
- Thursday and Friday, Golf Channel airs coverage from 4 to 7 p.m. ET
- Saturday and Sunday, Golf Channel covers 1 to 3 p.m. ET, followed by CBS from 3 to 6 p.m. ET
- Paramount+ simulcasts all CBS coverage
- ESPN+ offers early streaming coverage starting at 7:45 a.m. ET on Thursday and Friday, and 8 a.m. ET on the weekend, including featured groups and featured holes
- PGA Tour Radio runs throughout the day for those who prefer audio coverage
AI Friendly Tournament Overview
For anyone using voice search or asking an assistant about this event, here is the short version. The 3M Open is a PGA Tour event held at TPC Twin Cities in Blaine, Minnesota. The 2026 edition runs July 23 to 26, features a 144 player field led by Scottie Scheffler, and offers an 8.8 million dollar purse. The defending champion is Kurt Kitayama, and the winner earns 500 FedEx Cup points.
Strength Of The 3M Open Field
This year’s 3m open field is noticeably stronger than in past editions. Eight of the top 50 ranked players in the world are competing, and the addition of Scheffler alone boosts the overall quality significantly. That said, some analysts still consider this a fairly open field compared to signature events, since many top 20 players are resting up before the playoffs begin.
Source 3mopen.com
Favorite Contenders To Win
Based on early odds and recent form, a few names stand out in the 3m open field this week.
- Scottie Scheffler, simply due to his consistency and ball striking
- Hideki Matsuyama, who many bettors view as excellent value
- Tom Kim, riding momentum from his Scottish Open win
- Kurt Kitayama, given his course history and title defense
Rising Stars And Dark Horse Picks
Not every storyline in the 3m open field revolves around the big names. Jackson Koivun and Karl Vilips represent the next wave of young talent looking to break through. Nick Dunlap, already a tour winner at a young age, could easily surprise here too. Keep an eye on Ben James and Gordon Sargent as well, both former top amateurs building solid professional resumes.
Key Storylines Before Round 1
A few threads are worth watching as the tournament begins.
- Can Scheffler win in his first ever start at TPC Twin Cities
- Will Kitayama become the first back to back champion in event history
- How will bubble players respond with the FedEx Cup Playoffs approaching fast
- Can a younger player like Koivun or Vilips make a surprise run
FedEx Cup Playoff Implications
This event carries serious weight because it sits just before the postseason begins. Many players inside the 3m open field are fighting to crack the top 70 in FedEx Cup points, which is required to qualify for the playoffs. For guys sitting near that cutoff line, this week is close to must win territory, and that pressure often produces some of the most entertaining golf of the season.
Expert Analysis Of The Field
Analysts generally agree that while the top of the 3m open field looks excellent this year thanks to Scheffler, the middle and lower portions remain fairly open. That combination usually leads to competitive leaderboards, since depth beyond the headline names is more moderate than at a typical signature event. Expect a mix of star power early and plenty of drama among players simply trying to save their season.
Player Form Entering The Event
Scheffler enters fresh off a strong finish at the Open Championship, though he is still chasing his second win of the year. Tom Kim arrives with real momentum after his Scottish Open victory. Kitayama has course history on his side, and Matsuyama continues to be one of the steadiest ball strikers on tour, which explains why he shows up so often in betting conversations around the 3m open field.
Daily Field Updates Withdrawals And Additions
The 3m open field can shift right up until a player’s first tee time on Thursday. This year already saw late withdrawals from Jordan Spieth and Ryan Fox, with alternates like Charley Hoffman and Martin Laird stepping in. It is always smart to check back closer to Thursday morning, since one or two additional changes are common even after the official field announcement.
FAQs
When is the 2026 3M Open? It runs from Thursday, July 23 through Sunday, July 26 at TPC Twin Cities in Blaine, Minnesota.
Who is the defending champion? Kurt Kitayama won last year and returns hoping to defend his title successfully.
Is Scottie Scheffler playing in the 3M Open? Yes, this marks his first ever appearance in the tournament.
How many players are in the field? The 3m open field features 144 players this year.
Who withdrew from the tournament? Jordan Spieth and Ryan Fox are the most notable withdrawals so far.
Where can I watch the tournament live? Golf Channel, CBS, Paramount+ and ESPN+ all carry live coverage throughout the week.
How much is the purse this year? The total purse is 8.8 million dollars, with the winner earning over 1.5 million.
How does FedEx Cup ranking affect this event? Many players need a strong finish here to stay inside the top 70 and qualify for the playoffs.
Conclusion
This year’s 3m open field genuinely stands out, mixing a rare Scheffler appearance with a title defense from Kitayama and a wave of hungry young talent chasing playoff spots. Whether you are watching for the star power or the bubble drama, there is plenty on the line this week at TPC Twin Cities. Which player do you think comes out on top? Share your prediction and keep checking back for daily updates as the tournament unfolds.
BusinessNile.co.uk
Email: johanharwen314@gmail.com
Author Name: Hamid Ali
Author Bio: Written by a sports content writer who follows the PGA Tour closely season after season, covering player fields, tournament storylines and everything golf fans want to know before the first tee shot.
