Victory Links to host 3M Open Qualifiers

The 2019 3M Open, which will be held at the TPC Twin Cities July 4-7, is bringing some of the world’s top golfers to the Twin Cities. Pre-qualifiers for the 3M Open will be held June 26-27 at Victory Links Golf Course on the National Sports Center’s campus. The final qualifier will be held on July 1 at Victory Links. In its first year as a PGA Tour event, the 3M Open holds pledges from Brooks Koepka (No. 1), Bryson DeChambeau (No. 10), Tony Finau (No. 16) Jason Day (No. 18), Patrick Reed (No. 25) and Phil Mickelson (No. 26).

Victory Links’ close proximity to TPC Twin Cities and PGA-designed course secured its spot to host the qualifiers. The course’s good shape and layout make it a popular Minnesota golf destination.

A golfer tees off during the 2015 3M Championship qualifier at Victory Links Golf Course (NSC).

“Hollis Cavner, who runs the 3M Open, trusts us, so we’re hoping to keep the qualifiers here,” said Scott Roth, Director of Golf at Victory Links. “The partnership is super tight and we’re close in proximity.”

The two pre-qualifiers for the main qualifier will be June 26-27. So far, there are 30 people signed up for Wednesday, June 26 and 60 people for Thursday, June 27. Those who perform well at the pre-qualifiers move on to the Monday, July 1 qualifier. Of the 78 playing on Monday, only four will make it to the 3M Open. Players from all over the world are expected to play in the Monday qualifier, including current tour players. Many Twin Cities area golfers are registered for the June 26-27 pre-qualifiers.

“You have a lot of people trying to make their dreams come true, and they have a good chance at doing it,” said Roth.

Besides holding the qualifiers for the 3M Open, the NSC will host the 3M Open’s concert featuring Zac Brown Band on July 5. The NSC also rented out 5,400 of its 5,500 parking spots for the 3M Open. Needless to say, Blaine will be packed.

Big golf names headline the inaugural tournament. Brooks Koepka (No. 1) claimed the 2019 PGA Championship title on May 19 at Bethage Black golf course in Long Island, New York. Koepka’s PGA Championship title adds to his impressive six major tournament wins, labeling him as a must-watch golfer. Phil Mickelson’s commitment solidifies the 3M Open’s national prominence. Commitments from Bryson DeChambeau, Jason Day and Patrick Reed also illustrate the 3M’s ability to draw top golfers.

Roth believes there might be big names who play at the Monday qualifier at Victory Links. Names haven’t been posted for the main qualifier, yet. A lot of players wait until the last minute to see how they’re feeling before they pay to register.

With the tournament starting in less than a month, there’s a strong probability that it will attract other top golfers. The tournament sits perfectly between the U.S. Open and the British Open. Many golfers like to play a few weeks before a major event, and the 3M Open falls in that time frame. 3M’s organizers recruited Tiger Woods hard, but his publicist announced he will not be playing on Monday. Woods historically plays two weeks before a major tournament, so there was optimism he would enter the field.

Daily general admission tickets range from $30-45. For more information, visit https://www.3mopen.com/.