Scheffler savoring the hospitality in 3M debut

BLAINE, Minn. — Scottie Scheffler left the British Open with some frustration after another near miss in a major championship and traveled straight to Minnesota for his first appearance in the 3M Open. A week off after the last major of the season would have made sense for the world's top-ranked player, but Scheffler was focused on keeping his game sharp ahead of the FedEx Cup playoffs — and find some off-the-course respite for him and his supporting cast."The people have been tremendous, the fans have been really nice to me so far, and the tournament seems to do a really good job just taking care of everybody," Scheffler said Wednesday after playing a nine-hole pro-am with Minnesota Vikings coach Kevin O'Connell. "Clubhouse has been good. Food's been really good. Family's taken care of. Caddie's taken care of. Those are the things at a tournament when everybody around me is getting taken care of as well, it's really easy for us to come and play."Hollis Cavner is happy to hear that. The tournament's director and chief executive officer of Pro Links Sports has made player hospitality a priority since the 3M Open was added to the PGA Tour schedule in 2019.From the catered family dinners on the clubhouse patio each night to the inflatables and magicians for the kids, the event at TPC Twin Cities a half-hour's drive north of Minneapolis has become well-regarded by players, even if its calendar placement has limited the star power in the fields."People seem to be really thankful that we're here, which is surprising for a golf tournament," Scheffler said. "I was kind of taken aback by how nice people have been."Scheffler's presence has put the tournament on pace for record attendance."Every tent and every skybox sold out for the pro-am," Cavner said. "We're really getting in position now where we feel like we've arrived."Though this will be his fifth tournament in six weeks, including two in Britain, Scheffler didn't want to enter the playoffs after three weeks off. Plus, Cavner, who is a longtime friend of Scheffler's coach Randy Smith and agent Blake Smith, has been relentless in his requests to have Scheffler make his first visit to Minnesota. Caddie Ted Scott also has a positive view of the course from his previous work with Bubba Watson."We've been talking to him for years, working him and working him and working him," Cavner said. "Finally, they relented."There are several players in contention for the playoffs who could use a strong showing this week to climb above the cut. Jason Day, Brian Harman, Tom Hoge and 2022 3M Open champion Tony Finau are currently outside the top 70.Scheffler, who had his third top-four finish in four majors this year at the British Open, has not won a tournament since The American Express in California in January."One of the things that I've always kind of prided myself on is the consistency. That's something that shows that I'm playing some pretty good golf," Scheffler said. "It just hasn't been quite good enough to win some tournaments. I still feel like my game's in a good spot and I've played some nice golf."