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Jul 27th, 2020
Michael Thompson wins 3M Open
American holds his nerve for a two shot victory
Words: GolfPunk Photography: Getty Images
Michael Thompson birdied two of the last three holes to hold off a late charge from Adam Long to record a two-stroke win at the 3M Open in Minnesota. Thompson had shared the overnight lead with Richy Werenski with Charl Schwartzel and Tony Finau two shots back but it was Long who set the target after a final round seven-under-par 64.
Thompson, however, dug deep and grabbed the lead with a birdie at the short par four 16th hole after a great bunker shot to three feet. Needing a par at the last for victory the American cooly holed from fifteen feet for birdie for a closing 67 to finish at 19-under for the tournament.
"It is a little sad that there wasn't anybody out there to cheer on some of the great shots that I hit toward the end, but I know everybody who's rooting for me at least was watching and screaming at their TV,'' Thompson said.
"This is definitely a win for everybody who supported me throughout the years. It doesn't diminish the excitement."
As well as picking up the winner's cheque for $1,188,000 the win also guarantees Thompson a spot at the PGA Championship and the US Open which takes place at Winged Foot a favourite course of Thompson's.
Werenski, Schwartzel and Finau finished in a group of nine players in joint third place on sixteen-under-par. Sweden's Alex Noren, Charles Howell III and Argentinian Emiliano Grillo shared the 16 under mark, alongside Robby Shelton, Max Holma and Cameron Tringale.
Thompson, however, dug deep and grabbed the lead with a birdie at the short par four 16th hole after a great bunker shot to three feet. Needing a par at the last for victory the American cooly holed from fifteen feet for birdie for a closing 67 to finish at 19-under for the tournament.
"It is a little sad that there wasn't anybody out there to cheer on some of the great shots that I hit toward the end, but I know everybody who's rooting for me at least was watching and screaming at their TV,'' Thompson said.
"This is definitely a win for everybody who supported me throughout the years. It doesn't diminish the excitement."
As well as picking up the winner's cheque for $1,188,000 the win also guarantees Thompson a spot at the PGA Championship and the US Open which takes place at Winged Foot a favourite course of Thompson's.
Werenski, Schwartzel and Finau finished in a group of nine players in joint third place on sixteen-under-par. Sweden's Alex Noren, Charles Howell III and Argentinian Emiliano Grillo shared the 16 under mark, alongside Robby Shelton, Max Holma and Cameron Tringale.