The common season FedEx Cup race is nearly over. Two PGA Tour occasions stay earlier than the playoffs start. The primary is the 3M Open at TPC Twin Cities in Blaine, Minnesota.
Like Keith Mitchell, lots of the golfers on the FedEx Cup bubble look to garner some much-needed factors within the subsequent two weeks.
The objective is to get contained in the Prime 70 by the top of the Wyndham Championship to qualify for the primary of the three-tournament playoffs, the FedEx St. Jude Championship.
A method to do this is to win one of many following two tournaments. In fact, prevailing on the PGA Tour is less complicated stated than performed, however it’s not unattainable.
Nick Dunlap, who gained the American Specific as an novice in January, earned his second PGA Tour victory final week on the Barracuda Championship. With that win, he turns into the primary participant in Tour historical past to report victories as an novice and rookie of their first season.
His newest triumph exploded him from No. 95 to No. 64 within the FedEx Cup standings. Dunlap might enhance his standing much more this week on the 3M Open.
Nonetheless, he’s not on the cusp of lacking the postseason, so let’s take a look at three PGA Tour gamers who might win this week and prolong their season.
:format(webp):no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25543770/2162570418.jpg)
Photograph by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Pictures
Keith Mitchell
Mitchell at present sits at No. 75 within the FedEx Cup standings.
In 20 begins this 12 months, the previous Georgia Bulldog has three Prime 10s, 9 Prime 25s and made 14 cuts.
He missed three of his six cuts in his final 5 begins, however the two occasions he performed the weekend, Mitchell completed T10 on the RBC Canadian Open and T18 on the John Deere Basic.
Mitchell ranks fourth in strokes gained off the tee (+0.790), fifth in tee-to-green (+1.404) and sixth in strategy to the inexperienced (+0.737).
The 2 areas he struggles with are across the greens and together with his flat stick. Mitchell is No. 157 in strokes gained placing (-0.445) and No. 126 in strokes gained across the inexperienced (-0.123).
These two areas have price him increased finishes.
If he can get the flat keep on with get scorching this week and make loads of birdies, Mitchell can win the 3M Open. He’s solely 64 factors behind Davis Riley within the No. 70 spot, so a win will safely get him within the playoffs, however a T12 in both of the final two tournaments will earn him 65 factors.
:format(webp):no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25543771/2162696960.jpg)
Photograph by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Pictures
Michael Thorbjornsen
The following participant who might take house the victory in Minnesota is Michael Thorbjornsen, one of many many younger phenoms stealing the highlight in 2024. He earned his card by the PGA Tour College program.
Thorbjornsen debuted on the Vacationers Championship a little bit over a month in the past, but he’s inside attain of creating the postseason.
“Simply since you’re from the northeast and it snows for greater than half of a 12 months, that is no excuse.”
Forward of his professional debut, Michael Thorbjornsen on inspiring the subsequent technology of golfers pic.twitter.com/c7rJYQwbfm
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) June 20, 2024
The previous Stanford golfer sits at No. 125 within the standings, however his runner-up end on the John Deere Basic helped him amass 232 FedEx Cup factors.
What makes him a horny decide this week is Thorbjornsen has no stress on him as a result of regardless of the place he finishes within the standings, he shall be exempt for the 2025 season.
That means to play freely may benefit him within the subsequent two occasions.
Thorbjornsen sits 369 factors behind the No. 70 spot. If he needs to make some noise and get into the playoffs, it is going to take a win or two top-three finishes. Don’t depend him out as a result of the teen has the expertise and the heart to shake up issues.
:format(webp):no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25543780/2162721130.jpg)
Photograph by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Pictures
Joel Dahmen
Lastly, Joel Dahmen might win this week in Minnesota even when the 2024 season featured loads of highs and lows for him.
In 20 begins, Dahmen has one top-10 and three Prime 25s whereas making 13 cuts.
He’s No. 113 within the FedEx Cup standings heading into the 3M Open.
His greatest end, a T10, got here on the RBC Canadian Open. The Netflix star additionally recorded an spectacular T11 at The Gamers.
Not too long ago, he completed T25 on the Rocket Mortgage and T46 on the John Deere Basic.
Nonetheless, The 36-year-old missed the reduce on the ISCO and Barracuda Championship in his final two begins.
Dahmen’s quick sport has hindered him this season. He ranks No. 165 in strokes gained placing (-0.548) and No. 141 in strokes gained across the inexperienced (-0.191). The previous Washington Husky wants a powerful efficiency on the greens to contend.
Whereas a win appears far-fetched, it solely takes one week to get scorching, and if he does, be careful as a result of Dahmen badly needs his second PGA Tour win.
If he needs to increase his season, the Scottsdale resident wants good karma in Minnesota and North Carolina on the Wyndham Championship.
Dahmen sits 286 behind the mark, so a solo second or win is the form of surge he wants. Might he discover some magic and do one thing outstanding?
Savannah Leigh Richardson is a golf workers author for SB Nation’s Enjoying By. For extra golf protection, comply with us @_PlayingThrough on all main social platforms. It’s also possible to comply with her on Twitter @SportsGirlSL and Instagram @golf_girl_sl.
