BLAINE, Minn. — Thorbjorn Olesen overcame several challenges on Friday at the TPC Twin Cities, claiming a one-stroke lead over Jake Knapp heading into the weekend at the 3M Open.
Olesen’s Strong Performance
Olesen, following his 9-under 62 on Thursday, posted a 66 on Friday. The 35-year-old Danish golfer hit out of the rough on his final hole, the par-4 ninth, to set up a 5-foot birdie putt, bringing his 14-under total to 128. Despite a double bogey on par-4 15th, Olesen rallied with consecutive birdies to maintain his lead.
Reflecting on his performance, Olesen said, “I think both days, my iron play has been really, really good. I hit a lot of shots really close to the pin and gave myself a lot of good chances.”
Knapp and the Pack Chase
Jake Knapp, who posted a 65, remains a strong contender, sitting just one shot behind Olesen. Knapp has been playing error-free golf, staying bogey-free for the first 36 holes of the tournament.
He also had a solid start with birdies on Nos. 10-12, continuing his strong performance after earning his first PGA Tour win at the 2024 Mexico Open.
“I feel like it’s been … kind of mistake-free for the most part,” Knapp said, adding, “I haven’t really had to scramble too much.”
Close Competitors
Several other players are still in contention, including Pierceson Coody and Sam Stevens, who shot 65 and 68, respectively. Stevens finished with a bogey on the ninth, but remains well within striking distance. Takumi Kanaya, Chris Kirk, and Matti Schmid also shot solid rounds to sit at 11-under, just behind the leaders.
FedEx Cup Implications
With just two weeks left in the regular season, the FedEx Cup Playoffs are also in sight. Knapp (55th), Schmid (68th), and Kirk (77th) remain in contention for a spot in the top 70 to advance to the first playoff event.
Olesen’s Focus on the Future
Olesen, a regular on the European Tour with nine international victories, is looking for his first PGA Tour win. Despite a missed cut at The Open in Northern Ireland last week, Olesen stays optimistic, saying, “Every week is an opportunity to try and bounce back and do something special.”
Other Notable Performances
Adam Svensson came close to matching the course record with an 11-under 60 on Thursday but fell down the leaderboard with a 75 on Friday, dropping 29 spots.
Notably, Byeong Hun An (67th in the FedEx Cup standings) and Haotong Li (who finished tied for fourth at The Open) missed the cut.
What’s Next
With the weekend approaching, the stage is set for what promises to be an exciting finish at the 3M Open, with Olesen, Knapp, and other contenders vying for the title.
