BLAINE, Minn. — Coming into the 2023 3M Open at TPC Twin Cities, the penultimate event of the PGA Tour’s 2022-23 regular season, there were plenty of golfers who needed to make a final push to get into the FedEx Cup Playoffs.
Lee Hodges is in the lead at 15 under after Friday’s action, and he finished his second round with a birdie putt after the horn sounded to suspend play. It was suspended due to darkness with a few groups remaining who will finish the second round Saturday morning.
However, plenty of golfers needing a good week in the Twin Cities are packing their bags and heading home early.
Those who missed the cut, which came at 4-under 138, included players who were making a playoff push and others who were hoping to make their respective Ryder Cup teams.
The cut won’t officially be made until Saturday morning when the second round concludes, but the number is set.
Here’s a look at nine golfers who missed the cut at the 3M Open.
Sahith Theegala (3 under)
Sahith Theegala birdied his final hole of the day, the par-4 ninth, to move him to 3 under and one clear of the cut line at the time.
Shortly after his round concluded, the number moved to 3 under. By the time play was concluded Friday, it was 4 under, and he was on the outside.
Theegala shot 4-under 67 on Friday, but it wasn’t enough to overcome a 1-over start.
Cameron Young (2 under)
Cameron Young played in the final game last Sunday at the Open Championship with eventual winner Brian Harman. This week, he’s going home early.
Young was 5 under thru 11 holes in his second round when his tee shot got an unfortunate bounce on the par-4 third, bouncing into the water. The ensuing double bogey and a bogey on the par-3 eighth, both preventing him from playing the weekend. It’s only Young’s third missed cut in 20 starts this season.
However, in terms of the Ryder Cup, he shouldn’t worry.
Justin Thomas (2 under)
Justin Thomas had six birdies in his second round, but he also had a pair of double bogeys and two bogeys to offset any momentum.
He birdied four of his final five holes, which was an incredible run, but it wasn’t quite enough, as Thomas missed the cut.
Thomas’ time is running out to make the FedEx Cup Playoffs and Ryder Cup team after his fifth missed cut in the last seven starts, but he’s in the field at next week’s Wyndham Championship with one more shot at redemption.
As for the Ryder Cup, Thomas is currently 14th in the standings.
Joel Dahmen (2 under)
The fan-favorite Joel Dahmen had a bogey-free second round, signing for 3-under 68. However, he shot 1-over 72 on Thursday, putting him at 2 under after 36 holes and two shots outside of the cut line.
Similar to Thomas, Dahmen sits outside of the top 70 in the FedEx Cup standings, so he’ll need a strong performance next week to make it to Memphis.
Taylor Montgomery (1 under)
The PGA Tour rookie had an incredible start to his season with eight top-15 finishes in his first nine starts. However, he has been struggling as of late, and the 3M Open will be his fourth straight missed cut.
Montgomery shot 2-over 73 on Friday after an opening 68. He came into the week 47th in the FedEx Cup standings, so he’s likely to make it to Memphis. However, he’ll be on the bubble for the BMW Championship if his play doesn’t improve.
K.H. Lee (1 under)
K.H. Lee, who came into the week 70th in the FedEx Cup standings, will have work to do next week. He shot 4 under on Friday, but a poor performance on Thursday led Lee to shoot 1 under after 36 holes and miss the weekend.
Sungjae Im (1 under)
Sungjae Im was making his 150th career start this week. What’s the significance you ask? He won in his 50th and 100th starts, so plenty of people thought he would continue the trend.
However, inconsistent play led to him carding rounds of 70-71 and heading home for the weekend. Im came into the week 35th in the FedEx Cup standings.
Sepp Straka (Even-par)
Sepp Straka came into the 3M Open off the heels of a win at the John Deere Classic and T-2 at the Open Championship. He heads home early after shooting even-par 71 both days.
Straka was looking for a strong showing to solidify a spot on the European Ryder Cup team. He still has work to do.
Gary Woodland (3 over)
Playing with Thomas and Dahmen, Gary Woodland was never able to find his groove at TPC Twin Cities. He shot 72-73 and was 3 over after 36 holes, six shot behind the cut line.
The 2019 U.S. Open winner and four-time Tour winner has missed only five cuts this year but came into the week 90th in the FedEx Cup standings. He’ll need a special performance at the Wyndham Championship to make the playoffs.
