Exciting Moments from the 3M Open: Olesen’s Hole-in-One and a Tight Race at the Top
The 3M Open at TPC Twin Cities in Blaine,Minnesota,showcased thrilling golf action as Thorbjorn Olesen electrified fans with a hole-in-one on the par-3 eighth during Saturday’s third round. The Danish golfer posted an impressive four-under-par 67, sharing the lead with Akshay Bhatia heading into Sunday’s final round.
Olesen’s Calculated Approach on the Eighth hole
Facing a demanding 209-yard eighth hole with a back pin placement, Olesen chose to hit a six-iron instead of his usual seven. “The seven-iron wouldn’t have comfortably reached that spot,” he explained. “Using the softer six-iron let me take advantage of the green’s slope perfectly. Watching it drop in was unforgettable-I haven’t experienced that kind of shot in quite some time.”
Bhatia’s Steady Play Keeps Him Contending
At just 23 years old and already holding two PGA Tour victories, Akshay Bhatia fired an outstanding 63 to reach 18 under par and hold first place solo atop the leaderboard. His round included two remarkable chip-in birdies from long range-42 feet on hole five and an even longer putt of 55 feet on hole eleven.
“I made several putts that barely lipped in,” Bhatia noted. “Although my tee shots weren’t perfect today, soft greens gave me enough leeway to play confidently out of tricky rough areas.”
Kurt Kitayama matches Course Record With Spectacular Round
Kurt Kitayama amazed spectators by shooting a course-record-equalling score of 60 before Olesen and Jake Knapp teed off in Sunday’s final group. With twelve birdies against onyl one bogey, Kitayama finished at seventeen under par alongside Japan’s Takumi Kanaya (65), Knapp (67), and Sam Stevens (66).
Reflecting on his performance, Kitayama said: “I didn’t set any specific goal for today; I just focused on capitalizing every chance I had.” His front nine alone was seven under par with an exceptional score of 28.
Dramatic Back Nine for Olesen: Highs and Lows
After his ace at eight, Olesen faced some hurdles including a bogey at nine but rebounded strongly with birdies at thirteen and fourteen. A three-putt bogey occurred on fifteen before he steadied himself with another birdie at sixteen followed by pars through seventeen and eighteen.
The eight-time European tour winner expressed eagerness for his first PGA Tour title: “This feels different-a huge opportunity-and yes there is pressure,” he admitted. “But throughout my career-including Ryder Cup appearances-I’ve learned how to manage those moments well.”
Tactical Insights Amid Soft Green Conditions
- Bhatia leveraged forgiving greens despite inconsistent drives to maintain momentum.
- Kitayama played aggressively without fixating early on scoring targets.
- Olesen balanced risk-taking while recovering steadily after setbacks late in his round.
A Fierce contest Awaits as Final Round Approaches
This year’s leaderboard highlights intense competition between rising stars and seasoned veterans battling for supremacy in this prestigious tournament offering $7 million in prize money-an increase approaching five percent compared to last year according to recent PGA Tour financial trends.
The Rising Appeal of Golf Events Like The 3M Open Among Younger Fans
Tournaments such as this continue drawing younger audiences globally thanks partly to dynamic players like Bhatia who combine youthful enthusiasm with precise skill-reflecting broader trends where global golf viewership has surged over ten percent since last season according to industry analyses.
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