The 3M Open was almost canceled due to crowd restrictions and ongoing protests in MinneapolisGETTY IMAGES
PGA Tour 3M Open Tournament Dir Mike Welch confirmed that the event, scheduled for July 23-26 at TPC Twin Cities in Blaine, Minn., "will take place without fans in attendance," according to Brian Wacker of GOLF DIGEST. That "wasn’t the outcome Welch or anyone hoped for, but it beat the alternative: not playing at all." Welch yesterday confirmed that with restrictions on crowds "still in place and ongoing protests in Minneapolis and beyond," the tournament "came close to not being held." Wacker noted this year’s John Deere Classic was "canceled earlier this month because of a ban on large gatherings in Illinois and the financial implications of holding a tournament without spectators." The Tour and tournament officials "continued to pitch the idea of proceeding without spectators to Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz and other officials late into last week and into the weekend." They also were "able to use last week’s Charles Schwab Challenge as an example of how a tournament could be held safely amid the COVID-19 pandemic" (GOLFDIGEST.com, 6/15).
NO NEED TO MOVE: 3M Open Exec Dir Hollis Cavner said that the Tour "came 'very close' to moving the tournament that week to the Floridian Golf Club near many PGA Tour players’ Atlantic coast homes, but he credited the title sponsor for keeping it at home." He added that he "doesn’t foresee circumstances where the 3M Open still could be canceled." Cavner: “There’d have to be something very drastic happen not to host the event now" (Minneapolis STAR TRIBUNE, 6/16).
