Jackson Koivun owns a three-shot 3M Open lead, but Scottie Scheffler, Billy Horschel and Gary Woodland are positioned to make Sunday chaotic.
The 3M Open leaderboard has spent three days getting absolutely mugged by birdies, and Jackson Koivun is the latest player to leave fingerprints all over TPC Twin Cities.
Koivun delivered a bogey-free 61 Saturday, surging into the final round with a three-shot advantage and his first PGA TOUR victory suddenly within reach.
The newly minted TOUR member enters Sunday as the betting favorite at -155, but anyone expecting a quiet coronation hasn’t been watching this tournament.
Ben Kohles opened the week with a 62. Michael Kim followed by breaking the course record with a breathtaking 59. Then Koivun answered with nine birdies and no mistakes during the third round.
Apparently, par has become a polite suggestion in Minnesota.
Saturday’s scoring average finished 3.56 strokes under par, with 15 holes playing below their listed number.
Eight players posted 64 or better, turning what normally would’ve been an exceptional round into the price of admission.
Even Scottie Scheffler had to join the party.
The world’s No. 1 player produced seven birdies and an eagle during a third-round 64, climbing into a tie for ninth at six shots behind Koivun.
Scheffler’s biggest eruption came at the par-4 16th, where he holed a 55-foot shot from the rough for eagle.
Six strokes may sound like a lot. With Scheffler chasing on a course surrendering birdies by the bucket, it’s barely enough to feel comfortable.
Billy Horschel is another veteran worth watching. He entered the week after missing three straight cuts and six of his previous eight, but his ball-striking has returned with a vengeance.
Horschel sits tied for sixth at 15-under after hitting 16 of 18 greens Saturday, including every green on the back nine.
Gary Woodland is tied for 19th and remains maddeningly dangerous. He’s hit 12 of 14 fairways in consecutive rounds and shown stretches of elite driving and iron play, only to sabotage himself with costly mistakes.
Cleaning up those disasters could quickly push him toward the top 10.
Sunday’s weather may finally offer some resistance. Afternoon winds could reach 8 to 13 mph, with gusts near 18 and isolated thunderstorms possible.
That should add nerves, but it probably won’t stop the scoring.
Koivun has the lead. Scheffler has the reputation. Horschel and Woodland have the firepower.
At this 3M Open, three shots can disappear before the television broadcast settles in.
