Keith Mitchell’s hopes of advancing in the FedExCup Playoffs suffered a major blow at the 3M Open in Minnesota as he failed to make the cut following a difficult finishing stretch on Friday. Entering the week ranked No. 70 in the FedExCup standings, Mitchell’s performance at TPC Twin Cities has left his postseason chances hanging by a thread, with the Wyndham Championship remaining as his last opportunity to secure a playoff berth.
Mitchell started strong with a 68 in Thursday’s opening round and maintained momentum early on Friday. However, a triple-bogey on the third-to-last hole combined with a final-hole bogey dropped him back to even par for the day and 3-under overall—just short of the projected weekend cutline. This disappointing outcome threatens to undo a consistent 2025 season where Mitchell posted a runner-up finish and a top-10 placement, with only three missed cuts thus far. After missing the FedExCup Playoffs last year, this setback places immense pressure on him to perform at the Wyndham Championship to extend his campaign into the postseason.
Other Key Players Also Fail to Make Weekend Cut at 3M Open
Mitchell’s struggle was not isolated, as several notable names also missed the cut in Minnesota. Among them was 2022 3M Open champion Tony Finau, who recorded a 77 on Friday and now faces an uphill battle to qualify for the BMW Championship and maintain his eligibility for next season’s Signature Events. Finau’s missed cut at the 3M Open is his first since the Masters in April and only his fifth of the year.
World No. 18 Maverick McNealy, the highest-ranked player in the field, and Sahith Theegala, who has been dealing with a lingering neck injury that sidelined him for two months, were also unable to advance to the weekend rounds. These results underscore the highly competitive nature of the FedExCup race and the fine margins separating those who advance from those who fall short.
Rookie Karl Vilips Faces Challenges in Maintaining Early Success
PGA TOUR rookie Karl Vilips, fresh off a victory at the Puerto Rico Open earlier this year, struggled to build momentum in his debut at the 3M Open, posting rounds of 70 and 71. These scores left him considerably outside the cutline and no closer to securing a position inside the top 70 on the FedExCup leaderboard. Vilips, who began the season with encouraging form, now confronts the harsh realities of competing at the highest level.
“You need to show up and play well to get the points at this point. Earlier in the season, you’re just going week-to-week, trying to win and play your best, and now, I’m starting to really feel the pressure … each week matters.”
—Karl Vilips, PGA TOUR rookie
FedExCup Playoffs Contenders Face Increasing Pressure as Season Winds Down
Other players near the FedExCup bubble joined Mitchell and Vilips in missing the weekend cut. Byeong Hun An, positioned No. 67 entering the week and hoping to return to the TOUR Championship for a second straight year, posted rounds of 69 and 70 but came up short. Similarly, Patrick Rodgers, ranked No. 66 at the start of the event, faltered late with bogeys on his final two holes, finishing at 4-under and just outside the projected cutline.
With limited opportunities remaining, Rodgers, An, and Vilips are among those who must rely on their final chance at next week’s Wyndham Championship to keep their FedExCup Playoffs hopes alive. Failing to advance at Wyndham would end their seasons and eliminate any chance of continuing on to the prestigious playoff events and the TOUR Championship at East Lake.
3M Open Performance Influences FedExCup Playoffs Outlook for Several Players
The 3M Open has proven pivotal in reshaping which golfers are likely to contend in the FedExCup Playoffs as the regular season nears its conclusion. For players like Mitchell and Finau, this event represented a critical opportunity to solidify their positions, but disappointing rounds have instead intensified pressure ahead of the remaining tournaments. As the field narrows, every shot and every tournament result will play a decisive role in defining the upcoming playoff landscape.
The stakes are especially high given the proximity to key events like the FedEx St. Jude Championship in Memphis and signature tournaments where top-ranked players aim to secure spots and accumulate points critical to their season’s success. As such, performances over the next week will carry consequences not just for individual careers but for the competitive balance of the FedExCup Playoffs overall.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Why does Keith Mitchell wear a visor?
A. Mitchell feels a strong bond with wearing a visor. “My dad got me into wearing a visor when I was really young,” he explains. This connection, along with Imperial’s history and quality, turns this release into something more than just merchandise—it’s a true statement for him.
Q. What brand does Keith Mitchell wear?
A. Keith Mitchell, nicknamed “Cashmere Keith” on the PGA Tour, likes wearing cozy, natural materials while he plays instead of high-tech ones. His collaboration with Sid Mashburn reintroduces favorite materials like cotton, wool, and seersucker in a stylish collection.