Blaine is buzzing, and it isn't just because of early morning alarm clocks.
Fresh off a grueling week across the pond, Scottie Scheffler has brought instant star power to TPC Twin Cities. While the World No. 1 is still adjusting to the jet lag, but traders on Kalshi aren't discounting his performance. In fact, the 3M Open Winner market reflects a massive consensus: on paper, this week in Minnesota runs entirely through Scheffler.
Scottie Scheffler Leads the 3M Open Winner Market by a Wide Margin
With the tournament set to begin Thursday morning at TPC Twin Cities, Scheffler's contract sits well clear of the rest of the board on Kalshi.
The gap between him and the next name isn't close: Kurt Kitayama, the defending champion, trails by a wide stretch, and nobody else in the field is within shouting distance of either of them. The kind of spread you'd expect for a player who hasn't just been good this year, but historically consistent.
Why Scottie Scheffler Is the Name to Beat in Blaine
Scheffler arrives fresh off a T-4 finish at The Open Championship, and even though he hasn't won since January, the numbers behind that dry spell tell a different story than "slump." A few reasons the market keeps leaning his way:
- He has maintained his position at the top of the FedEx Cup standings for five consecutive weeks.
- Out of 16 starts on Tour this year, he has locked in 10 top-five finishes.
- His total performance across the year's four majors landed at 20 under par, tying for the best absolute score on Tour.
- This week represents his 144th career week ranked inside the top 10.
Yet, the path to the trophy isn't a guaranteed victory lap.
Twin Cities presents a chaotic equalizer: water hazards lurk on 15 of the 18 holes. For a superstar who struggled heavily with a cold putter at Royal Birkdale, one errant tee shot into the drink could instantly shift the financial board, injecting massive drama into Sunday's final holes.
The Contenders Chasing Scottie Scheffler
Kitayama, last year's champion, is the closest name to Scheffler on the board, even if the distance between them is significant. He's not shy about admiring what he's up against. "Everyone wants to hit it like him, but no one has a swing like he swings it," Kitayama said. "I think his whole demeanor and the mental side of it, how he handles the pressure, I think is something to admire."
Maverick McNealy also shows up among the names drawing the most attention behind Scheffler, part of a group that includes Hideki Matsuyama, though none of them come close to matching the top of the market this week.
When To Watch The 3M Open
The action begins Thursday morning at TPC Twin Cities in Blaine, Minnesota, featuring an $8.8 million purse. Celebrating its eighth year on the PGA Tour, the event hasn't successfully featured a reigning World No. 1 since Brooks Koepka teed it up here back in 2019.
Organizers utilized a full-court press since October to secure Scheffler, a move that has already driven a massive 25% surge in tournament ticket sales.
Whatever time his alarm went off Wednesday morning, Scheffler will need to be sharp by Thursday's opening tee time. Judging by where the 3M Open Winner market stands on Kalshi, plenty of people expect him to be.
