29 July 2023
In its fifth year as a regular PGA Tour stop, the 3M Open at the TPC Twin Cities in Blaine has never had a wire-to-wire winner. Last year, Tony Finau entered the final round five shots off the lead before winning by three at 17-under par.
Lee Hodges and Tyler Duncan shake hands on the 18th green after completing the third round of the 3M Open on Saturday in Blaine. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
Lee Hodges will try to become the first first-round leader to hold on for a 3M Open victory with the defending champion Finau lurking in familiar position.
Hodges shot a 5-under 66 on Saturday to finish the third round at 20-under par, the lowest score in tournament history after three rounds.
“It’s going to be hard tomorrow,” Hodges said after his round Saturday. “(J.T. Poston’s) going to play great, Tony Finau, unbelievable golfers behind me. Not like I can go shoot even par tomorrow, I’m going to have to keep making birdies. Yeah, I’m just going to stay aggressive like I have been.”
Hodges will start Sunday five shots clear of Poston, who will play with Hodges in Sunday’s final pairing. Finau is third at 14-under, and Aaron Baddeley is fourth at 13-under after shooting a 6-under 65 on Saturday.
For Finau, it marked his 17th round in the 60s at the 3M Open, five more than any other player in the tournament’s five years. Last year, he trailed by five shots with 11 holes to play and won. He closed Saturday’s round with four birdies over his final nine holes.
“Obviously last year was pretty crazy, just in a few holes how things can change,” Finau said. “There’s a lot of water in play on the last few holes. I don’t know that really any lead, you know, more than four or five is safe.
“I find myself again in a similar position as last year. It was just nice to make a run on the back nine today just to give myself a chance.”
Starting the day with a four-shot lead, Hodges was hardly ever challenged – by his competitors or the Blaine course. After going bogey free over the first two rounds, Hodges bogied his second hole on Saturday before settling in. He posted another bogey on No. 9 but made five birdies over his final nine holes to maintain control.
In his second year on the PGA Tour, Hodges has never won a tournament.
Tyler Duncan, right, plays an approach shot on the 14th hole as fans look on during the third round of the 3M Open at TPC Twin Cities in Blaine. (Photo by David Berding/Getty Images)
The week was an important one for Hodges, as well. He started the week 74th in the FedEx Cup standings with one event remaining before the playoffs. The top 70 in the standings qualify for the FedEx Cup playoffs.
Hodges has spoken all week about having nothing to lose in his attempt to qualify for the playoffs and being outside the qualifying line entering the week. It has played a part in his approach all week.
“I honestly don’t think I’ll be that nervous tonight,” Hodges said. “I’ll hang out with my wife. We’ll go do something fun. I mean, yeah, it’s just golf at the end of the day. I’m lucky to be here.”
Poston’s consistency has him within striking distance. He shot 5-under 66 each of the first three days of the tournament.
“I really hit the ball good today and feel like I had a lot of control of my golf ball, which is always nice,” Poston said. “Another bogey-free round, so again, it’s just been really solid. For tomorrow, I’ll try and do the same thing and hopefully get more putts to drop, because I think I’m going to need a low one.”
Related Articles
Hodges builds four-shot lead halfway through 3M Open
Gaugert lives out his dream with 3M Open run
3M Open: North Oaks’ Frankie Capan III’s 3-under 68 highlights local performances
3M Open: Potential redemption stories abundant as struggling golfers find form on Day 1 in Blaine
3M Open: North Oaks’ Frankie Capan III wasn’t sure if he’d play this week. But now that he is, he’s playing to win