With the Tour elites spending last week at The Open in Scotland and now ready for a brief vacation, this week's 3M Open in Blaine, Minnesota has become an event that welcomes players of all shapes and sizes, from all sections of the world of golf. It's a chance for those who have lost their PGA exemptions to get back in business, and that includes Ted Potter.

    Ted has had a series of missed cuts and this one can get him back on track. The defending champ is the Cam who didn't dazzle the Scots with a 1-2 finish at St. Andrews - Cameron Champ - who shot 15-under 269 last year to defeat Ocalan Louis Oosthuizen by two strokes. Also returning is the previous winner, Michael Thompson, who was 19 under in 2020, and Chez Reavie, winner of last week's Barracuda Championship with a plus 43 total using the modified Stableford scoring system. 

    The most recognizable names on the 3M entry list are Rickie Fowler, Stewart Cink, Jason Day, Tony Finau and Hideki Matsuyama. Gators include Camilo Villegas, Matt Every and dual Tour player Brian Gay, and the two Seminoles are Hank Lebioda and Chase Seiffert. 

    Cam Smith made an unbelievable comeback to win The Open after it looked like Rory McIlroy or Viktor Hovland had a huge advantage after 54 holes. But Rory closed with a 70, and Hovland with 74, while Smith shot 2-under 34 on the front, then birdied holes 10-14, and added another on 18 to finish with 64, 20 under par. Cam Young was just as spectacular, also posting a 34 on the front nine, then making three birdies and an impossible eagle on No. 18 to miss tying Smith by one stroke and forcing a playoff. All four deserve the week off. 

    

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