Who is Actually Playing? The 3M Open 2025 Field Reality Check

Who is Actually Playing? The 3M Open 2025 Field Reality Check

TPC Twin Cities is a weird place for a golf tournament. Honestly, it is. You've got this lush, Arnold Palmer-designed course in Blaine, Minnesota, that basically turns into a birdie barrage every July. But the biggest question every summer isn't about the stimpmeter readings or the thickness of the rough. It is about who shows up. The 3M Open 2025 field is currently the obsession of every Midwest golf fan trying to figure out if they should trek out to the north metro or just watch the highlights from their couch.

Let's be real. The timing is brutal.

The 3M Open sits in that awkward, sweaty post-Open Championship slot. It's the "hangover" week of the PGA Tour schedule. Players are flying back from the UK, dealing with jet lag that feels like a physical punch to the gut, and trying to decide if they have enough gas left in the tank for the FedExCup Playoffs. Because of that, the 3M Open 2025 field is always a fascinating mix of desperate grinders, rising stars, and a few loyal big names who actually like the Midwest vibe.

The Stars We Expect to See in Blaine

You can't talk about this tournament without mentioning Tony Finau. The man is basically the unofficial mayor of Blaine at this point. After his 2022 win, he's made it clear he likes the course layout. It fits his eye. He'll likely be the headliner again. Then you have Lee Hodges, the 2023 champ who absolutely demolished the field by seven strokes. Guys like that don't just skip the place where they had their career-defining moment.

But the 2025 landscape is different. With the PGA Tour’s "Signature Event" model still dominating the calendar, the rank-and-file players are fighting for their lives.

Expect the 3M Open 2025 field to be heavy on the "Top 125" bubble dwellers. These are the guys you see on the range at 7:00 PM on a Tuesday, grinding away because a Top 10 finish in Minnesota could be the difference between keeping their card and heading back to the Korn Ferry Tour. It’s high-stakes drama masked by polite Minnesota clapping.

Why the 3M Open 2025 Field Matters for the FedExCup

If you aren't a hardcore golf nerd, the FedExCup points system might seem like a bunch of math you didn't ask for. It's simple, though. By the time the Tour hits Minnesota in late July, the window is closing. Fast.

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The 3M Open 2025 field serves as the penultimate or "last chance" saloon for many. Historically, this tournament has been the spot where someone like J.T. Poston or Sahith Theegala makes a massive move to secure their post-season spot. Because the course is a par-71 that plays relatively soft, you see aggressive golf. You have to. If you aren't shooting 4-under or 5-under every single day, you're going backwards.

I've talked to caddies who say TPC Twin Cities is one of the most stressful "easy" courses on Tour. One bad swing on the 18th hole—with all that water lurking—and your season is basically over. That tension defines the entry list. You don't come here for a relaxing week; you come here to save your job.

The Youth Movement and Sponsors Exemptions

Watch the kids. Seriously.

The 3M Open has a reputation for giving spots to the next big thing. Think back to 2019 when Matthew Wolff and Collin Morikawa were just "college kids" tearing up the turf. Wolff won, Morikawa nearly did, and the rest is history. For 2025, keep an eye on the top-ranked amateurs coming out of the PGA Tour University program. The tournament directors here love to gamble on potential.

We will likely see at least two or three names you barely recognize from the Sunday leaderboard of a random NCAA tournament. By 2026, those same names will be household brands. That’s the magic of this specific week in the schedule.

Course Layout and How It Shapes the Entry List

TPC Twin Cities is a bomber's paradise, but only if you can keep it on the planet. There’s water on almost every hole.

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  • The Power Factor: Players like Cameron Champ have historically thrived here because they can fly the hazards.
  • The Putting Contest: Because the greens are usually pure and the wind is often manageable, it becomes a flat-stick competition.
  • The Heat: Minnesota in July is a swamp. The humidity is no joke.

Players who struggle in the heat—or those who prefer the firm, fast conditions of a US Open—tend to stay away. The 3M Open 2025 field will be populated by "Midwest Specialists." These are the guys who grew up on bentgrass greens and don't mind a little sweat on the brow.

What the Skeptics Get Wrong

People love to bash the "weak" fields of non-signature events. It's an easy trope. "Oh, Rory and Scottie aren't there? Must be a bad tournament."

That’s lazy analysis.

The 3M Open 2025 field is actually better for fans because the stakes are more relatable. When Scottie Scheffler wins for the eighth time, it's impressive, but it's expected. When a guy ranked 110th in the world makes a 20-foot birdie on the 72nd hole in Blaine to secure his family's future for the next two years? That’s visceral. That’s why people show up to TPC Twin Cities.

Also, don't sleep on the local favorites. Minnesota has a surprisingly deep pool of pro talent. Erik van Rooyen, who played at the University of Minnesota, is a lock for the field if he’s healthy. Tom Hoge, another local-adjacent hero, usually makes the trip. These guys draw the biggest galleries, and the atmosphere on the "Fan Deck" at the 18th is legitimately one of the best on Tour.

Planning Your 3M Open Experience

If you're going, don't just stand at the 18th. Everyone does that. It's crowded and you can't see much.

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Instead, head to the 7th or 8th holes. You can get closer to the players than almost anywhere else. You’ll hear the "thud" of the ball hitting the green and the muttered frustrations after a pulled drive. It's the best way to see the 3M Open 2025 field in their natural habitat.

Also, watch the Monday Qualifiers. It's the "longest day in golf" for a reason. Four spots are usually up for grabs at a nearby course like Victory Links. The guys who make it through are usually running on caffeine and adrenaline, and they often provide the best stories of the week.

Tracking the Final List

The official field won't be locked until the Friday before the tournament (typically 5:00 PM ET). Players have until then to commit or WD. If a big name misses the cut at The Open Championship in the UK, they might late-add to the 3M just to get some competitive rounds in. It happens more often than you'd think.

Keep an eye on the "Alternates" list too. Because of the travel from overseas, WDs are common on Monday and Tuesday of tournament week. The guy who was 3rd alternate on Sunday might end up being the Thursday morning leader.

Actionable Steps for Fans and Bettors

If you're looking to engage with the 3M Open 2025 field, don't just look at World Rankings. That’s a trap. Look at "Strokes Gained: Off the Tee" and "Birdie or Better Percentage." This is a scoring tournament. You want players who can get hot with the putter and aren't afraid to go low.

  1. Check the "Bubble" Rankings: Look at the FedExCup standings the week before. Anyone between 60th and 100th is going to be playing with extreme focus.
  2. Monitor Weather Reports: TPC Twin Cities changes drastically if the wind picks up or if a summer thunderstorm softens the fairways.
  3. Follow Local Insiders: Minnesota golf writers often get the "inside track" on which sponsor exemptions are being handed out weeks before the PGA Tour announces them.
  4. Buy Tickets Early: Even if the "mega-stars" aren't all there, the 3M Open is a massive social event in the Twin Cities. The best viewing spots sell out.

The 2025 iteration of this tournament is shaping up to be a pivotal moment in the season. With the transition of the PGA Tour's schedule and the looming presence of the playoffs, the 156 players who tee it up in Blaine aren't just playing for a trophy—they're playing for their careers.