There’s plenty of scoreboard watching going on at the 2024 3M Open but there might be just as much attention being paid to the FedEx Cup Playoffs standings.
Between this week’s 3M Open and the Wyndham Championship — the last regular-season event on the 2024 schedule — there’s a lot of jockeying for spots in the top 70. That’s the magic number if you want to play the postseason.
With that as the backdrop, Matthew NeSmith and Andrew Putman are taking advantage of their week so far at TPC Twin Cities in Blaine, Minnesota, in an effort to make that select group of 70. There’s still 36 holes to go and these guys know not to look too far ahead but they are definitely making their case.
But more immediate is the chase for the 3M Open title and Taylor Pendrith has put himself in position for that after two days.
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Here’s a look at some of the top storylines from the 2024 3M Open on Friday evening.
Pendrith takes outright lead
Mackenzie Hughes was the low Canadian with a 64 on Thursday. On Friday, Taylor Pendrith took over that role after carding a 7-under 64 to match NeSmith and Doug Ghim for low round of the day. Pendrith’s final birdie of his round came on No. 18 and got him to 12 under, two clear of NeSmith, who held the lead most of the day.
Pendrith broke through for his first PGA Tour win in May at the CJ Cup Byron Nelson. Already the 30th (29th) in the FEC points, he’s now projected at No. 13. He’s also making a strong case for a repeat spot on the International team for the Presidents Cup, to be contested in his home country late September.
He missed out on the Open this year but turned in a solid week at the opposite-field Barracuda Championship, tying for fifth, which gave him “tons” of confidence.
“I wasn’t sure if I was going to be in The Open. When I found out I wasn’t, I was excited to go there and try to have a good week. Played really nice last week and sneaky had a chance late on Sunday, so that was fun,” he said. “Game’s in a good spot and I’ve been playing really nicely the first two days here, so hopefully keep it up.”
NeSmith makes big jump
NeSmith has made a big move up the FedEx Cup points list, vaulting 51 spots Friday to No. 81. There’s still work to do to get into the top 70 but his two rounds this week is certainly helping. He’s keeping things in perspective after his second-round 64 that got him to 10 under.
“I think playing good golf takes care of everything. If you play good, the FedExCup and everything will work out on its own,” he said Friday after his morning-wave round was complete. “Just try and keep the right mindset going into the weekend and play one shot at a time. We’re halfway through a golf tournament, we’re still a long way away from Sunday afternoon, so just keep doing what you’re doing and try to hit the first tee shot tomorrow pretty well and go from there.”
NeSmith, 30, is playing in his 139th PGA Tour event. He’s seeking his first win, although he does have two runner-up finishes, including two weeks ago when he was part of a five-way playoff.
“That was I would say the closest I’ve been to winning a golf tournament since I’ve been here. It was just nice to be back in the thick of it and it was nice to show myself that I could do it again. It’s been a long time, since the Korn Ferry in 2019 in Boise, Idaho. It was nice to be in contention and have a chance to win a golf tournament,” he said.
NeSmith’s Friday scorecard featured a pair of birdies to start his round, another birdie at No. 6 and then an eagle on the par-5 12th, where he stuffed his 269-yard second shot to 14 feet before making the eagle putt. So far this week, he has nine birdies and just one bogey.
New driver driving Putnam the right direction
Golfers can be particular about their gear. Andrew Putnam is probably no different. He explained there was an incident recently with the big stick that he’s hoping he’s cleared up.
“Driver’s been a little suspect,” he said. “It fell off the cart playing like a month ago, I don’t know if that had any effect with it. The spin rate’s been a little weird. So got a new driver the last two weeks, same model. So just getting a little more confidence back with that. As long as I can hit it decent off the tee, I feel like my irons are always good, my putting’s pretty good, so hopefully build my confidence back.”
Putnam has shot 67 and 66 so far this week. On Friday, he had five birdies, including a 3 on the tough par-4 ninth hole, which is playing 507 yards with a large lake down the right side and fronting the green.
He was 74th in the FEC standings heading into the week but the latest projected standings have him up 13 spots to 61st.
Shot of the day
On the 16th hole Friday, Hayden Buckley’s second shot clanged off a red stake, sending his ball in the water. He then pulled the red stake out of the ground and spiked it. He ended up with a double…
