Lee Hodges Continues to Dominate at 3M Open with Five-Stroke Lead
Lee Hodges is on the brink of claiming his first PGA Tour victory after extending his lead to five strokes at the 3M Open in Blaine, Minnesota. The Alabama golfer shot a remarkable 5-under 66 during the third round to accumulate a 20-under 193 total, breaking the tournament’s 54-hole record. Hodges had led the competition with an 8-under after the first round and an impressive 15-under after the second day.
Reflecting on his performance, Hodges expressed his sense of liberation, saying, I have nothing to lose. I’m out here playing with house money. I have a job next year on the PGA Tour, this is all great. This is just icing on the cake. At 28 years old, Hodges has led or shared the lead after 54 holes only once before, finishing tied for third at The American Express in 2022.
With his standout performance, Hodges has almost certainly secured a spot in the playoffs beginning in two weeks. He entered the week ranked 74th in the FedEx Cup standings, where only the top 70 players qualify. His remarkable play has elevated his position, solidifying his chance to compete against the best in the FedEx Cup.
J.T. Poston currently trails Hodges by five strokes, sitting in second place after shooting a 66. Defending champion Tony Finau is one stroke behind Poston at 14-under following a 67.
Hodges commenced his third round with a steady front nine, but it was on the back nine that he truly excelled. He sank birdie putts from 12 and nearly 11 feet on holes 10 and 11, respectively. A fantastic tee shot on the par-3 13th also led to another birdie. He continued his birdie streak by sinking putts from 5 feet on hole 16 and 7 feet on hole 18.
On Sunday, Hodges will be paired with J.T. Poston in the final group. Poston, a good friend of Hodges, expressed his support, stating, We play some practice rounds together, and I know him really well. He’s a good friend. So, if I can’t get it done tomorrow, I’ll be pulling for him.
Meanwhile, Finau, last year’s champion, finished strong with four birdies in his final eight holes. He remains optimistic about his chances, saying, It was just nice to make a run on the back nine today just to give myself a chance.
Other notable performances include Aaron Baddeley in fourth place with a score of 13-under after a solid 65. Sam Ryder, Keith Mitchell, Billy Horschel, and Kevin Streelman are all tied at 12-under. Ryder’s impressive performance included birdies in his last five holes, matching the tournament’s back-nine record of 29, which Mitchell set two years ago.
Lee Hodges and his wife plan to enjoy a relaxed evening before the final round. Hodges shared, I honestly don’t think I’ll be that nervous tonight. I’ll hang out with my wife. We’ll go do something fun. I mean, yeah, it’s just golf at the end of the day. I’m lucky to be here.
As the 3M Open reaches its climax, spectators eagerly anticipate whether Hodges can maintain his exceptional form and secure his maiden PGA Tour victory.
