If the 3M Open does tee off at TPC Twin Cities in Blaine like it's supposed to in late July, it could feature one of the most start-studded fields in the event's history.
The 2019 event saw players like Phil Mickelson and Brooks Koepka, who was the top golfer in the world. Now that the 2020 British Open is canceled due to COVID-19 concerns, 3M Open executive director Hollis Cavner told WCCO's Dave Lee on Friday that it will only help bring more players to the 3M Open.
Related Minnesota golf courses may reopen this weekend
"We've already got major, major commitments from big-time players," Cavner said on the WCCO Morning News. "We've got bigger guys than we had last year."
Despite having bigger names at the event, Cavner said they will wait to announce who has committed to play in Blaine.
"When people get back to playing a little more we'll start our advertising and things like that," he said.
On Thursday, the PGA Tour announced an amended schedule, for the second time in 10 days, that would have golf resuming three weeks later than planned. Golf would resume in mid-June with the Charles Schwab Challenge in Fort Worth, Texas.
An update on the 2020 @pgatour schedule. https://t.co/nNGhI5BHLq
— 3M Open (@3MOpen) April 16, 2020The downside to the PGA Tour's announcement is that no fans will be in attendance through the first four events.
"We're planning on about five different scenarios, one of which includes running the 3M Open as normal with fans," Cavner said. "When we talk with 3M, everyone agrees that this thing has to come off without a hitch. There has to be social distancing and there's a lot of things we need to do to make it right."
Cavner said one scenario includes limiting the amount of fans into the event and another includes not having fans at all, leaving the 3M Open to a TV broadcast.
"We have a couple scenarios about cancelling or cancelling late," Cavner said. "If things aren't perfect in Minnesota and Gov. Walz doesn't want us to play, then we're going to have to listen. We're not going to go against the wishes of the people."
