After all the excitement at St Andrew's last week, it’s business as usual on the PGA Tour with this week's 3M Open at TPC Twin Cities, Blaine, Minnesota.
The 156 field with the top 65 including ties making the cut will all be playing for a share of the $ 7.5M prize purse with the winner collecting the 3M Open title and a winner’s cheque for $.1,35M.
Before I continue I think it’s only fair to say congratulations to Cameron Smith for winning The 150th Open Championship at the weekend. It was a tremendous effort from the Mullet and a well-deserved, famous victory for the Aussie and all his wallabies back home.
My mum actually tipped Cam Smith at 28/1, maybe I need to find another job or either that get my mum on board. I said it would be fun whatever the outcome and it certainly proved just that.
My main selection Rory McIlroy, who I know lots of you were on gave us all a run for our money but fell just short. Again, it was yet another amazing effort from the Irishman, but it wasn’t to be.
I’ve heard lots of comments about Rory bottling it, I’m not so sure about that! There was simply just no stopping Cameron Smith, who produced five birdies on the back nine to record a record-breaking scorecard reading -20.
Truly remarkable, especially on the Old Course amidst all the pressure with what was at stake and a world audience tuning in. That’s it for the Majors for this year where our record reads two winners, second and third, I’d have taken that at the start of the year so well done to everyone who took advantage.
TPC Twin cities will be playing 7,164 yards long this week, it’s a par 72 private resort course with no less than fifteen holes featuring water in play.
Cameron Champ returns to defend the title he won here last year with a -15 winning scorecard.
The weather is forecast to be cloudy but warm with sunny intervals throughout. Breezes will peak at around 13mph on Thursday then much calmer for the remainder.
This event will be screened on Sky Sports Golf with live coverage starting from 8.30 pm on Thursday evening.
So let’s move on with this week's 3M Open selections.
Maverick McNealy
For my first selection and main betting tip at TPC Twin Cities, I’m going to single out Maverick McNealy 25/1 EW William Hill 1-8 places.
The 26-year-old from California could be surfing a golfing tidal wave this weekend with a much-deserved maiden title breakthrough victory. He’s another who’s been knocking on the door recently with two runners-up places in 2021.
2nd at the Fortinet Championship and also 2nd at AT&T Pebble Beach should be enough to tell McNealy that it’s definitely going to happen, it’s just a matter of time.
With three Top 20 finishes at the last three attempts, including two Top 10s then it’s clear to see that this kid has potential. T9th last time out at the Barracuda Championship, T16th at The Scottish Open and T8th at the John Deere Classic are all impressive performances and Maverick McNealy will certainly arrive in Minnesota with some form in the bag.
On the stats front, McNealy also arrives with a bag of tricks. On the PGA Tour this year the young Californium ranks 19th Going for the Green Birdie or Better, 18th Birdie Average at 4.12, 16th Scoring Average at 69,68, 11th Total Birdies and best of all 8th Putting Average at 1.723.
If you notice a trend, it all starts in the Top 20 on the PGA Tour and not just that, it's these figures around and on the greens. Everyone, that’s the clue right there so my advice is to get on Maverick McNealy to claim his maiden PGA crown with a victory at the 3M Open.
Davis Riley
For my next prediction, I’m going to advise Davis Riley 25/1 EW Skybet 1-8 places This kid is another who is currently flashing up on my radar at the moment, I just have a feeling that a victory is imminent for the talented 25-year-old old kid from Mississippi.
With six Top 20 finishes in his last ten events including four Top 10 places and three Top 5s, it’s quite impressive stuff from Riley this year.
Runner up when Sam Burns successfully defended his Valspar Championship title back in March. 4th more recently at the Charles Schwab Challenge and 5th at the Mexico Open suggest to me that the writing could be on the wall for Davis Riley.
These much-depleted fields with most of the bigger names missing always provide a better opportunity, especially when seeking that breakthrough maiden title. David Riley ranks 5th on the PGA Tour Total Birdies this season and with plenty of birdie opportunities on offer this week at TPC Twin Cities then this could be the best chance yet for the young new kid on the block.
He already has two victories on the KFT Tour so knows what it takes to get over the line and could easily take advantage of what’s on offer in Minnesota this weekend with a maiden PGA Crown.
Adam Svennson
For my next selection, I’m going to point you all in the direction of Adam Svennson 40/1 EW Paddy Power 1-8 places. As I’ve already mentioned, with this weaker-than-normal field, it’s an ideal opportunity for someone like Adam Svennson to break his duck on the PGA Tour. The 28-year-old Canadian is another who can boast many wins on the KFT Tour with three of those coming last year in 2021, not an easy Tour to win on I may add with so much talent on show.
Since joining the PGA Tour only a matter of months ago, Svennson already has three Top 10 finishes in the bag. T7th at the Sony Open in Hawaii, T9th at the Honda Classic and most recent of all, only last weekend, as a matter of fact, 6th at the Barbasol Championship. I’ve already mentioned in previous previews that it’s all about timing and course management and conditions couldn’t be better for Adam Svennson in Minnesota this week.
This TPC Twin Cities track is all set up for his game as the Canadian is simply a birdie machine. Just check his PGA Tour stats where he ranks 3rd overall amongst the golfing elite and best in the business, not bad for being a novice on the PGA Tour finding his feet.
I think the firms have possibly overlooked the Canadian's chances this weekend so my advice is to take the 40/1 while it’s still available for Adam Svennson safe in the knowledge that a place in the top eight will return a tidy profit.
For my final selection, it’s the customary match bet. Last weekend we delivered yet another Suoer Banker Nap to keep the amazing run going. For this week's match bet Nap I’m going for Adam Svennson again, but this time to beat Nick Hardy over 72 holes.
3M Open Free Golf Betting Tips
- Maverick McNealy 25/1 William Hill 1-8 places
- Davis Riley 25/1 EW Skybet 1-8 places
- Adam Svennson 40/1 EW Paddy Power 1-8 places
- Adam Svennson to beat Nick Hardy 10/11 Bet365 NAP.
