The PGA Tour touched down at TPC Twin Cities for the seventh edition of the 3M Open, but instead of crisp drives and firm greens, players got drenched fairways, sticky mud, and — cue the groans — preferred lies.
“Lift, Clean, and… Place?”
Yes, after a steady downpour on Wednesday turned Blaine, Minnesota’s par-71 layout into a soggy mess, Tour officials declared that the dreaded “Model Local Rule E-3” would be in effect for Round 1. That means players could mark, lift, clean, and place their ball — within a club length, no closer to the hole — anywhere in the closely mown areas.
It’s not an uncommon move when fairways get that much water, but that didn’t stop fans from taking to the internet to express their frustration.
Comments like “Lift, clean, and cheat” and “Softest tour in the world” were flying faster than a 3-wood down the back nine. Some fans even joked that Charmin should sponsor the event, while others flipped over to LIV Golf instead.
The Challenge Ahead
TPC Twin Cities, stretching 7,431 yards with plenty of water in play, already presents a demanding challenge. Toss in soft turf and damp rough, and it becomes a real test of who can control spin, flight, and patience. Jhonattan Vegas is back to defend his 2024 title, but he’ll need to fend off a field hungry for FedExCup points and a piece of the $8.4 million purse.
The weather appears humid, with highs in the 80s and a threat of additional rain looming. If the preferred lies continue into the following rounds, expect more criticism — and more birdies — as red numbers pile up on the leaderboard.
One thing’s certain: Whether you love or hate the lift-clean-place call, it’s going to be a wild few days in Minnesota.
