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3M Open: Top 10 power rankings

By Mike Randleman

BLAINE, MINNESOTA - JULY 07: A general view of the 18th green during the final round of the 3M Open at TPC Twin Cities on July 07, 2019 in Blaine, Minnesota. (Photo by Sam Greenwood/Getty Images)
BLAINE, MINNESOTA - JULY 07: A general view of the 18th green during the final round of the 3M Open at TPC Twin Cities on July 07, 2019 in Blaine, Minnesota. (Photo by Sam Greenwood/Getty Images) /
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BLAINE, MINNESOTA – JULY 07: Troy Merritt of the United States looks over a putt on the 18th green during the final round of the 3M Open at TPC Twin Cities on July 07, 2019 in Blaine, Minnesota. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
BLAINE, MINNESOTA – JULY 07: Troy Merritt of the United States looks over a putt on the 18th green during the final round of the 3M Open at TPC Twin Cities on July 07, 2019 in Blaine, Minnesota. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /

The 3M Open gets some Minnesota flavor with a guy who grew up less than five miles away in Spring Lake Park. Troy Merritt won’t have any galleries to play to this year, but he can look back fondly on the memories made in 2019.

He contended at TPC Twin Cities, carding rounds of 70-64-66-68 to finish T-7th. The Boise State alum was eighth in strokes gained putting (1.515 per round).

Merritt reflected that it’s another club that is the key around this venue.

“That was the main focus this week, put some time in with the driver,” Merritt was quoted by TeeScripts. “Obviously I know the course, I’ve played it six, 10 times before the tournament having gone to high school just down the road.”

The big stick held him back last year and has been his weakness this year. Nonetheless, he’ll always have a chance thanks to his putter. He’s 36th on Tour in SG putting (. 426) and will be plenty comfortable rolling it on bentgrass.

Merritt did look better with driver at the recent Rocket Mortgage Classic. He finished eighth in SG off the tee (.747) en route to T-8th overall.

Merritt has made four of six cuts since golf returned in June. That also includes a T-22nd at the Workday Charity Open.

This player breaks the mold of who I’m looking for to thrive this week, but he still has enough going for him to give him a shot in your lineup or betting card.

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