The 2025 3M Open PGA Tour event is set to take place from July 24 to 27 at TPC Twin Cities in Blaine, Minnesota, following Scottie Scheffler’s recent victory at the Open Championship. With an $8.4 million purse on the line, this tournament attracts prominent golfers including Wyndham Clark, Tony Finau, and Rickie Fowler, alongside a group of promising underdog contenders. Among these, Davis Thompson and four others stand out as sleeper picks who could make a significant impact at the 3M Open.
Profiles of Notable Sleeper Contenders at the 3M Open
Davis Thompson, who claimed his sole PGA Tour win last year at the 2024 John Deere Classic with an impressive 28-under score, has shown consistent play this season. His top performance was a 7-under finish for a top-10 spot at the PLAYERS Championship. Thompson also secured respectable placements at the Genesis Invitational, John Deere Classic, and Truist Championship, where he scored 4 under, 14 under, and 6 under respectively. He will aim to capture his first win of the current season in Minnesota.
Taylor Pendrith also emerges as a strong dark horse. This season, he registered two top-five finishes: T5 at the Texas Children’s Houston Open with 15 under, and T5 at the PGA Championship with 5 under. Additional solid outcomes include top-10 placements at the Farmers Insurance Open, AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am, Memorial Tournament, Sentry, and the Genesis Scottish Open, demonstrating his consistent presence within competitive ranks.
Patrick Fishburn has recorded three top-10 finishes this season, including T6 at the Sony Open in Hawaii, T5 at the Valero Texas Open, and T6 at the ISCO Championship, with scores of 13 under, 4 under, and 5 under respectively. Beyond these strong showings, Fishburn finished T18 at the John Deere Classic and T28 at the Valspar Championship, marking him as a steady contender.
Erik van Rooyen has shown notable flashes of form, finishing as the solo runner-up at both the CJ CUP and Barracuda Championship. At the CJ CUP, he posted a 23-under total, while the Barracuda Championship saw a difficult 44-over score, reflecting some volatility. Additionally, van Rooyen produced a T9 at the Cognizant Classic in The Palm Beaches with 14 under. He also recorded a T30 at the Sony Open and a T34 at the Truist Championship.
Canadian golfer Mackenzie Hughes has demonstrated a strong season with three top-10 finishes. Highlights include 10th place at the Texas Children’s Houston Open, T3 at the RBC Heritage, and T2 at the ONEflight Myrtle Beach Classic. Moreover, Hughes posted a T22 at the Arnold Palmer Invitational, maintaining competitive form through multiple events.
Impact of These Sleepers on the Tournament Dynamics
The presence of these five underdog players, led by Davis Thompson, enriches the competitive landscape of the 3M Open. Their diverse recent performances indicate the potential for surprises and breakthroughs amid a field dominated by established stars like Rickie Fowler, Wyndham Clark, and Tony Finau. Success at this event would not only bolster their season records but could also reshape leaderboards and confidence heading into the late summer of the PGA Tour calendar.
As the 3M Open unfolds at TPC Twin Cities, attention will focus squarely on whether Davis Thompson and these sleeper picks can capitalize on their momentum and challenge for the title, offering golf fans an intriguing storyline beyond the favorites. With a strong purse and a competitive field, this week promises to be pivotal for the careers and rankings of these emerging contenders.