Tony Finau plays EPIC shot near tree as Lee Hodges surges clear at 3M Open
Defending champion Tony Finau hits the shot of the day as Lee Hodges opens up a commanding lead at the 3M Open.
Lee Hodges will take a commanding four-stroke into the final round of the 3M Open but defending champion Tony Finau is waiting in the wings at TPC Twin Cities.
Six-time PGA Tour winner Finau carded a round of 67 to move into solo third on 14-under par.
The American's round contained the shot of the day on the 12th hole when his swing on his third shot was restricted by a tree.
Finau looped his swing around the tree and played a delicious draw into the heart of the green before pouring in the putt for birdie.
No tree trouble here
Artistry on display from @TonyFinauGolf to make back-to-back birdies @3MOpen. pic.twitter.com/uGLkOlc657
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) July 29, 2023
JT Poston, who was playing alongside Finau in the penultimate group of the day, went one better with a round of 66 to progress to 15-under par.
But it's Hodges who is the man out in front heading into Sunday thanks to a steady 66 and he looks on from 20-under par.
Hodges, 28, is not only on the verge of landing his maiden PGA Tour title but he can also take the 3M Open scoring record that stands at 21-under par.
Never a doubt
Lee Hodges closes a strong day with a birdie @3MOpen. pic.twitter.com/Ctzb6aRxkO
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) July 29, 2023
This week's performance is particularly impressive from Hodges given he started the tournament outside the top 70 in the FedEx Cup standings.
Justin Thomas also did but he missed the cut as his slump continues ahead of the Ryder Cup.
After next week's Wyndham Championship, the top 70 players on the FedEx Cup list will head into the first Playoffs event at the FedEx St Jude Championship.
Who wins the 3M Open?
— GolfMagic (@GolfMagic) July 29, 2023
Finau has not had his best stuff out there on the PGA Tour this season and as a result finds himself in need of a strong week in order to make the US Ryder Cup team.
Vote in our latest poll:
Tony Finau is having a solid week in his title defence at the 3M Open on the PGA Tour. But will he make the US Ryder Cup team?
— GolfMagic (@GolfMagic) July 29, 2023
Aaron Baddeley vaulted up to solo fourth on 13-under par with a 65.
Billy Horschel, who has been struggling for form this season and is in severe danger of missing out on the FedEx Cup Playoffs, finds himself in fifth place on 12-under par.
