3M Open headed again for post-British Open date in 2022

Headed next summer for its fourth tournament in a seven-year deal, the 3M Open will return to its current schedule slot the week after the British Open.

The event could return after 2022 to its inaugural date in 2019 over the July 4 weekend or another date if a better one opens.

The holiday date probably draws a better field. The post-British Open date probably draws the bigger crowds.

This year, executive tournament director Hollis Cavner recruited against the Tokyo Olympics that took Americans Collin Morikawa, Justin Thomas and Xander Schauffele, Northern Ireland's Rory McIlroy, Norway's Viktor Hovland and Japan's Hideki Matsuyama, among many others.

He also recruited against a date that comes immediately after the British Open plays six time zones away.

"I don't have a problem with the week after the British," Cavner said. "We didn't get hurt by the British as much as the Olympics."

There will be no Summer Olympics again until 2024.

"Players like it," Cavner said. "They get off a big jet from Europe and get in a brand-new Lexus. It's not a bad way to travel."

The 3M Open field included current world No. 2 Dustin Johnson, No. 8 Louis Oosthuizen, No. 12 Patrick Reed, No. 19 Tony Finau and a whole gaggle of golfers — including popular Rickie Fowler — ranked near the top-125 line that makes the FedExCup playoffs.

Oosthuizen played in Blaine after he declined to play in Tokyo. He went back to work immediately after yet another top-three finish fell short at the British Open.

The 2010 British Open winner finished tied for second in Blaine this time, with fellow major champion and South African pal Charl Schwartzel and Olympic-bound Jhonattan Vegas. All three were two shots behind champion Cameron Champ.

Oosthuizen, Schwartzel and their families lived in their traveling recreational vehicles near the course alongside Bubba Watson all week. Their families went to the zoo and Mall of America by day and ate dinner at outdoor barbecues the tournament throws by night.

"Hollis put up a great tournament for us, and I would love to be back here," Oosthuizen said. "It's a great golf course. Family's here, Charl's family is here. We had a good time."

The PGA Tour's 2019 arrival brought into question whether the TPC Twin Cities course would be worthy after senior-tour players went so low there for so long.

"I don't think there's any doubt about it now," Cavner said. "It is worthy."

Cavner sought "birdies and train wrecks" when Minnesotan Tom Lehman supervised a course redesign in 2018. South Korea's Sung Kang made 12 at the par-5 18th hole and Fowler made 8 there on Saturday.

That 18th hole played more difficult Saturday than any hole on tour so far this season.

"You have to play offense. You can't play defense."

Schwartzel finished second on Sunday after a third-place finish last summer.

"What's not to like, right?" Schwartzel asked. "It does suit my eye. It was in great condition and a lot more wind this week than last year. But just a good golf course."

Reed praised the tournament's operations, saying, "I like the event; the people are great."

He said 3M Open organizers are in a "tough spot" in the schedule. He said he played here after getting nothing out of his British Open rounds.