2023 3M Open: Top 10 Power Rankings at TPC Twin Cities
Justin Thomas has never played the 3M Open. It probably wasn’t a part of his original 2022-23 schedule, either. But desperate times call for desperate measures, and JT needs FedEx Cup points.
With two weeks to go, the former Alabama Crimson Tide sits 75th in the standings. In past years, Thomas would be a lock to finish in the top 125 to make the playoffs. Beginning this year, only the top 70 make it.
So, Thomas finds himself in the Land of 10,000 Lakes.
I’m not particularly thrilled with his current form, but there are things to like when it comes to JT’s chances this week.
For one, he showed some nice resolve in his missed cut last week at The Open Championship. After a ghastly opening round 82, Thomas was due to miss the cut by miles. He dug in for round two and improved 11 shots to shoot even par and hopefully find a spark to carry forward.
"“I played really well today. It was very, very tough out there. I thought I — I used today as a good opportunity to get ready for next week, and I felt like I did that. The golf in Minnesota is obviously slightly different than here in Liverpool,” Thomas was transcribed by ASAP Sports. “But I’m hitting a lot of good shots. I’m just making so many bonehead mistakes and crazy things happening, and I’ll be fine.”"
It’s easy to dismiss his assertions, but he’s never been down this long in his career. Statistically, he’s due to regress back to the mean of being a consistent top-10 player.
Thomas isn’t far removed from a T-9th in a designated event, the Travelers Championship. That was his third top-10 of the season.
The 30-year-old mostly has his putter to blame. He’s 158th in strokes gained putting per round (-.293) and in the top 70 in every other SG category.
Thomas is 11th in SG around-the-green (.366).
TPC Twin Cities should set up well for him. He can go bombs away off the tee and use his strong approach play to avoid trouble lurking primarily on players’ second and third shots.
Thomas needs to finish the season strong to try to earn a captain’s pick for the American Ryder Cup team. I envision him instilling some confidence in Zach Johnson with a top-10.