By Patrick McDonald
July 23, 2026
The world of professional golf is often defined by the fine margins between brilliance and frustration. For Scottie Scheffler, the undisputed king of the Official World Golf Ranking for nearly 200 weeks, the 2026 season has been a masterclass in consistency, yet punctuated by a baffling "winner’s circle" drought that has stretched to nearly 200 days. However, as the sun set over TPC Twin Cities on Thursday at the 2026 3M Open, that dry spell appeared to be in serious jeopardy.
Scheffler, whose ball-striking remains the gold standard of the PGA Tour, arrived in Minnesota with a specific mission: to fix the putter. Following a disheartening performance at The Open Championship—where the flat stick effectively derailed his pursuit of the Claret Jug—the Texan responded with a clinical 6-under 65. It was a round that signaled not just a return to form, but a warning to the rest of the field that the world’s best player has found his rhythm again.
The Lay of the Land: A Competitive Opening Day
While Scheffler’s resurgence captured the headlines, the leaderboard at the 3M Open is currently headlined by a man playing for his professional life. Ben Kohles delivered a career-best 9-under 62, a staggering performance that has left him three strokes clear of the pack.
Kohles, who has spent the summer oscillating between the Korn Ferry Tour and the PGA Tour, is currently ranked 100th in the FedEx Cup standings. With the playoffs looming, he is playing with the urgency of a man who knows exactly what is at stake.
"After the John Deere Classic, I talked to my team and decided to put myself in position to play out here as much as I can," Kohles remarked after his round. "My main focus is trying to break into that top-70. I’m not worried about the external noise; I’m just trying to execute."
Chasing Kohles are Jackson Koivun, Gary Woodland, and Emiliano Grillo, all tied at 7-under. The chasing pack at 6-under is headlined by Scheffler, who is joined by veterans Lucas Glover and Michael Brennan, among others.
Chronology of a Resurgence: From Links to Twin Cities
To understand the significance of Scheffler’s 65, one must look at the week prior. At The Open, the conditions were harsh, and the greens were unforgiving. Scheffler struggled mightily, converting only six putts outside of 10 feet for the entire week. It was a rare statistical outlier for a player of his caliber.
The Thursday Transformation
Scheffler’s Thursday round at TPC Twin Cities was a direct antithesis to his struggles in the UK. Though he missed a 7-foot birdie opportunity on his opening hole, he proceeded to put on a clinic.
- The Early Grind: Despite missing several fairways early, Scheffler utilized his legendary scrambling ability to avoid bogeys, keeping his scorecard clean and his momentum alive.
- The Turning Point: His birdie conversion on the 12th hole (his third of the day) from 15 feet served as the catalyst.
- The Hot Streak: He followed up with a 17-footer on the 18th and a 15-footer on the 1st.
- The Statement: By the time he reached the par-4 7th—his final hole—he drained a 10-footer to cap off a round where he gained more than three strokes on the field with his putter.
"Fresh greens are a little bit easier than links greens," Scheffler noted. "Part of playing links golf is that the ball isn’t going to roll true every single time. I felt like I was on the wrong end of that last week. I came here, lined up where I thought I should, and trusted the stroke."
Supporting Data: The Statistics of Success
The underlying data from Thursday’s round paints a picture of a player who has regained his confidence. Scheffler’s five putts made from outside 10 feet were essentially a "reset" of the mechanics that failed him at The Open.
The Leaderboard Snapshot (Top Contenders)
| Player | Round 1 Score | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Ben Kohles | 62 (-9) | Leader |
| Jackson Koivun | 64 (-7) | T2 |
| Gary Woodland | 64 (-7) | T2 |
| Emiliano Grillo | 64 (-7) | T2 |
| Scottie Scheffler | 65 (-6) | T5 |
| Lucas Glover | 65 (-6) | T5 |
Kohles, meanwhile, gained over five strokes on the field in "Strokes Gained: Approach." His ability to stick the ball close, combined with the momentum of his June win on the Korn Ferry Tour, has made him the man to beat. For the 21-year-old phenom Jackson Koivun, Thursday’s 64 marks a coming-out party. After a missed cut in his professional debut, Koivun has shown immense maturity, executing high-pressure putts from 41 and 15 feet to remain in contention.
Official Responses and Player Insights
The atmosphere at TPC Twin Cities is a unique blend of "gettable" conditions and high-stakes tension. Players are acutely aware that the course is yielding low scores, requiring an aggressive mindset.
Scottie Scheffler on the fickle nature of golf:
"Golf’s funny. Some days, you’re hitting your lines, and the ball tracks toward the hole. Other days, it feels like you’re doing the same thing, and it kind of goes around the hole. Today was a day where I was able to hole some nice putts, and that’s why I was able to make some birdies."
Jackson Koivun on course management:
"The golf course is definitely gettable, as the scores show. It’s just about playing smart, playing for a score, and executing when the time is right. I felt like I did a good job of taking advantage of the scoring opportunities today."
Implications: The Race for the FedEx Cup
As the 3M Open moves into its second, third, and fourth rounds, the implications for the FedEx Cup are massive. Scheffler, already holding the No. 1 spot in the standings, is looking to extend his lead and potentially snap his 200-day winless streak.
For players like Ben Kohles, the next 54 holes represent a critical juncture in their careers. Kohles is currently balancing the reality of his Korn Ferry Tour eligibility with the dream of a full-time PGA Tour card. If he can maintain his current form, he will move significantly up the rankings, perhaps securing his status for the remainder of the season and beyond.
Betting Perspectives
While the betting markets initially favored a deep field, the current sentiment remains focused on the "Scheffler factor." Though some analysts suggest looking at value plays like Kim (currently at 3-under), the momentum Shift from the world No. 1 makes him the clear front-runner for the weekend.
Looking Ahead
The TPC Twin Cities course is expected to continue providing a fair test, but the true challenge will be the mental fortitude of the leaders. Can Kohles maintain his career-best pace under the pressure of a chasing Scottie Scheffler? Can the younger generation like Koivun handle the intensity of a Sunday back-nine showdown against the world’s most consistent golfer?
The 2026 3M Open has transformed from a routine mid-summer event into a pivotal battleground. With Scheffler’s putter finally cooperating, the tournament has gained the one thing it needed most: an inevitable, high-stakes collision between the established elite and the hungry, rising stars of the game. The stage is set for a weekend that will likely define the mid-season narrative of the PGA Tour.
