Paulie’s Picks: 2023 3M Open

We are only two weeks away from the FedExCup Playoffs so players are looking for one last push to improve their standing or extend their seasons. This week the players travel to Minnesota for the 3M Open hosted at TPC Twin Cities. This has all the makings of another birdie fest with an expected winning score around 20-under.

So what does a player need to do well to succeed here? Well, it may sound pretty simple but they will need to be above average with their irons and catch a hot putting week. The greens and fairways here are massive, which decreases importance both off the tee and around the green. It’s going to be a contest to see who can hit it close enough with their irons to make a bunch of birdie putts. Let’s take a look at three players to target:

Emiliano Grillo $9,700

Grillo has all of a sudden turned one of his weaknesses into one of his strengths. A historically well-below-average putter has now gained strokes in 10 of his last 12 events. We already know that Grillo is an elite ballstriker, especially with his irons. He has gained at least four strokes on approach in five of his last nine events. In his last 10 events, he has four top-seven finishes, including a win at Colonial and a sixth place finish at the Open last week. He now heads to a course where he has arguably had the most success on Tour, with two top three finishes in the last three years.

Lucas Glover $8,200

Since Glover made the drastic putter technique change a month ago, he has completely rejuvenated his season and career. He has finished top six at the Rocket Mortgage, John Deere, and Barbasol. Just how good is he putting now? This is only the third time in the last 11 years where he has gained at least eight strokes putting total over a three-event span. In his eight events prior to this three-event stretch, he lost a mind-boggling 28 strokes to the field on the greens!!! If Glover can continue his above average putting, he is going to be very dangerous. He already ranks top 15 in approach and off the tee in this field. This seems like the perfect time for Glover to breakthrough and find the winners circle once again.

Chez Reavie $7,300

Only one player in this field ranks top 10 in both approach and putting. You guessed it: our guy Chez Reavie. This combination of skills has helped him make his last eight cuts, including that chance to win at the Travelers. In his last four stroke play events, he has gained a whopping 21.6 strokes on approach. He very well may best his 11th place finish here in 2021 if he continues to hit his irons that well.

Love golf? Sign up for The Fried Egg’s membership program, ClubTFE for additional content and a deeper level of coverage, including weekly course profiles and ratings, monthly member videos, daily blog posts, pro chop discounts, and early event registration.