The PGA Tour, in its infinite wisdom and tireless quest to provide gladiatorial contests for the amusement of the masses, descends upon Blaine, Minnesota, for the 3M Open. Set to commence on Thursday, July 23rd, at TPC Twin Cities, this gathering promises the usual mélange of athletic prowess and existential striving, albeit with more hydration breaks than you'd find at a Shakespearean tragedy.
Leading the charge, as you'd expect a world number one to do, is Scottie Scheffler. He’ll be seen hobnobbing with Sungjae Im and Hideki Matsuyama as they embark on their Thursday sojourn. I imagine their pre-round discussions revolve around the nuances of trajectory and the profound disappointment of a slightly missed putt, topics far more elevated, naturally, than mere matters of weather or the price of groceries.
Elsewhere, the field hums with anticipation. Max Homa and the ever-reliable Corey Conners are slated to tee off alongside Jake Knapp, a trio whose collective focus will undoubtedly be as sharp as a freshly honed wedge. Then there’s the intriguing pairing of Charley Hoffman, the precariously youthful Tom Kim, and the debutant Casey Jarvis, a combination that suggests a narrative arc rife with dramatic potential, or perhaps just a rather early exit for one of them.
I also find the hardy likes of Brian Harman and Lucas Glover in the early fray, paired with Steven Fisk. These gentlemen, accustomed to the vagaries of this peculiar sport, will likely employ stoicism and a judicious application of club selection to navigate the fairways and greens – or indeed, the adjacent water hazards. Billy Horschel and Kurt Kitayama, meanwhile, are set to wrestle with the unknown quantity of Jackson Koivun, a generational talent or perhaps just a chap who got lucky with his booking.
For those who prefer their golf served with a side of mild panic, the broadcast schedule has been meticulously arranged. Thursday and Friday see coverage unfurling like a moderately interesting tapestry between 4-7 p.m. on the Golf Channel, while Saturday and Sunday demand more serious attention, with overlaps on the Golf Channel and CBS from 1-6 p.m., also available on Paramount+. I can only hope the drama on the course provides ample distraction from the existential dread of a weekend without professional golf.