Lee Hodges Dominates 2023 3M Open to Claim First PGA Tour Victory
Blaine, Minnesota – Lee Hodges put on a clinic at the 2023 3M Open, capturing his first PGA Tour win in impressive fashion. The 28-year-old golfer showcased his dominance over the weekend, finishing seven strokes ahead of the field and securing a wire-to-wire victory at TPC Twin Cities.
Hodges’s triumph comes at a crucial time as the FedEx Cup Playoffs approach. His remarkable performance in the Land of 10,000 Lakes propelled him from outside the top 70 to 33rd in the season-long race. While he still has work to do to qualify for the Tour Championship, Hodges is currently in position to compete in the St. Jude Championship and the BMW Championship.
“This has been a dream week,” Hodges expressed. “I’ve got the best caddie in the world. I’ve got the best wife in the world. I’ve got my mom and dad…I’ve got the best everybody. I mean, I’ve got the best team in the whole world, and they work so hard and I couldn’t do it without them.”
Hodges never relinquished his lead throughout the weekend, although his advantage was trimmed to two strokes after a tense front nine on Saturday. However, he used a strong back nine in the third round to distance himself from the competition and alleviate any pressure heading into Sunday’s final round.
In the last round, Hodges displayed composure from the first tee shot, consistently finding fairways and hitting greens in regulation. His first birdie came on the challenging par-4 2nd hole when his approach settled less than five feet from the pin. A phenomenal eagle on the sixth hole extended his lead to as many as seven strokes.
Although Hodges faced some challenges on the back nine, including a two-shot swing on the 15th hole, he never relinquished his grip on the trophy. By becoming the first wire-to-wire winner in the history of the 3M Open, Hodges secured his spot in the Masters and gained momentum heading into the FedEx Cup Playoffs.
The rest of the leaderboard at the 2023 3M Open saw notable performances from Tony Finau and Cam Davis. Finau finished tied for 7th place at 15 under, showcasing his skills throughout the week. However, his chances of making the U.S. Ryder Cup team may be slim unless he produces a strong finish in the FedEx Cup Playoffs.
Davis, on the other hand, had struggled recently but found his form with a T10 finish at TPC Twin Cities. This result boosted his chances of qualifying for the playoffs, providing him with an opportunity to turn his season around.
For Ludvig Aberg, it was a mixed bag. Despite having impressive skills off the tee, Aberg has struggled to produce consistent results with only one top 20 finish this year. It’s unlikely that he will make the FedEx Cup Playoffs, making his chances of earning a spot on the European Ryder Cup team doubtful.
As the golf world now looks to the upcoming playoffs, Hodges’s resounding victory serves as a reminder that anything can happen in this exciting season.