Ten golfers on the fringe who could contend in this week's 3M Open

TEN PLAYERS ON THE FRINGE WHO COULD CONTEND

You know about Brooks Koepka, Jason Day, the guy they call Lefty and the other six major champions in this week's 3M Open field. On Thursday, 156 golfers will tee off in the opening round and it's a safe bet most fans expect, when the final putt drops Sunday afternoon, one of the marquee names will hoist the Waterford Crystal trophy. But as evidenced by world No. 353 Nate Lashley's victory last week in Detroit, winners can come out of nowhere. Here are 10 unheralded names who might be worth a look at TPC Twin Cities in Blaine. (WR = world ranking)

Age: 32 | WR: 205

Twice a runner-up on the PGA Tour. Shot a 6-under 64 and led after the first round of the Travelers Championship last month and was T11 after Round 1 last week.

Age: 24 | WR: 128

The PGA Tour's average driving distance leader (317 yards) shot 28 on the front nine and grabbed a share of the second-­round lead last week before cooling off on the weekend.

Age: 28 | WR: 95

Age: 24 | World rank: 120

Made back-to-back U.S. Opens as a teenager, briefly holding the outright lead in 2012 at the Olympic Club. Is 11th on tour this season in strokes gained putting.

Age: 21 | WR: 283

The 2018 U.S. Amateur champion from Norway turned professional two weeks ago and has already cashed $156,435 in earnings. A 7-under 64 in the final round last week shot him up to T13.

Age: 40 | WR: 56

Age: 21 | WR: 64

He was the leading money winner last season on the Web.com (now Korn Ferry) Tour. Has six top-10 finishes this PGA Tour season and has nine rounds in the 60s since May 30.

Age: 35 | WR: 32

Three-time PGA Tour winner lacks length off the tee but has proved he can go low on gettable courses. He shot 8-under 62 in the second round of the Charles Schwab Challenge in May, and won by four.

Age: 26 | WR: 281

Age: 26 | WR: 266