2021 3M Open: Top 10 power rankings at TPC Twin Cities

It was disappointing not to see Matthew Wolff at The Open last week. He opted out due to personal reasons, which may or may not have to do with mental health issues he disclosed earlier this summer.

His candidness is appreciated, and it was encouraging to see Wolff contend at the U.S. Open. Perhaps he didn’t want to contend with the rigid COVID-19 protocols in place for those competing at Royal St. George’s.

Regardless, it offered Wolff the chance to avoid jet lag and come in rested to a highly favorable tournament for him.

Fresh off a storied collegiate career at Oklahoma State, the rookie Wolff (69-67-62-65) holed an eagle putt on the 72nd hole to beat fellow prodigies Collin Morikawa and Bryson DeChambeau by one in 2019.

“It was — you know, I’m speechless right now. It’s something that, you know, I’ll definitely remember as not only my first win,” Wolff was quoted by TeeScripts in 2019, “but that putt and to do that with all the nerves and trying to get my Tour card was pretty special to me.”

Wolff defended his title admirably last year. Three more rounds in the 60s led to T-12th (65-68-70-67) and just five shots off the pace.

The 22-year-old Californian finished T-15th at this year’s U.S. Open for his second made cut in the last three starts. Earlier in the 2020-21 season, Wolff earned second at the 2020 U.S. Open and the Shriners Hospitals for Children Open.

His unique swing lands him 34th on the PGA Tour in strokes gained approach (.485) and eighth in driving distance (312.8). Wolff will also have a good chance to summon more eagles like at the 18th. He’s tops in holes per eagle, nearly making one per tournament at 77.4.