Tournament Announces Six 2020 Player Sponsor Exemptions
Three Players Have Local Ties
BLAINE, MN – 3M Open tournament officials announced today six player exemptions, which have been offered and officially accepted, for the 156-player field who will compete in the PGA TOUR’s 3M Open, scheduled for July 23-26 at TPC Twin Cities.
“This group of players, who are not otherwise exempt to get in the tournament, represent different stages of golf careers as well as individuals who are outstanding gentlemen,” said 3M Open Executive Director Hollis Cavner. “We are also glad we can share a few spots with players who have Minnesota ties, giving them a chance to represent our community and state. “
One of the exemptions was offered by Cavner last week to Angus Flanagan, following his victory at the Minnesota State Open on July 9.
“This was totally unexpected and a real surprise,” said the Englishman, who is a rising senior member of the University of Minnesota golf team. “Every amateur dreams of teeing it up with your heroes. I cannot believe how lucky I am. It is a great honor for me.’
Each PGA TOUR event is granted at least eight sponsor exemptions based on certain categories in the competition guidelines.
Tom Lehman, played in the inaugural 3M Open last year as a sponsor exemption. The Minnesota native, who attended the University of Minnesota, was 6-under-par heading into the weekend and on Saturday was paired with eventual champion Matthew Wolff, who shot a 62 that day and vaulted to the top of the leaderboard. Lehman would finish T58 at 7-under. Lehman, who assisted in the original and re-design of TPC Twin Cities, is a former World No. 1, winner of the 1996 Open championship and the only player in golf history to earn Player of the Year honors on all three PGA TOURs.
Angus Flanagan, is from Woking, England. He has been selected to represent Europe on this year’s Arnold Palmer Cup team. During his junior season at the University of Minnesota, he was named third-team All-America by Golfweek. Last week, he shot a course-record 64 at Royal Golf Club to win the Minnesota State Open. Flanagan won the Big Ten individual title his sophomore year.
Erik van Rooyen, played golf at the University of Minnesota starting in 2009 and turned pro in 2013. Following his junior season, he was awarded the Tom Lehman Player of the Year award by the coaching staff. The South African plays primarily on the European Tour, where he won his first tournament in 2019 and lost in a playoff that same year. He is currently ranked among the top 50 in the world.
Sahith Theegala, is a 23-year-old from Chino Hills, CA, who swept the 2019 college Player of the Year awards while playing for Pepperdine. Last week it was announced he won the Jack Nicklaus Award for collegiate Player of the Year. He also was named winner of the Fred Haskins Award and Ben Hogan Award for Player of the Year honors. His first start as a professional was at the Genesis Open, where he finished T49.
Matthias Schwab plays on the European Tour and last year the 25-year-old had a solo runner-up finish, lost in a playoff and also finished T4. He is from Austria and played at Vanderbilt. He is currently among the top 100 in the world.
Bernd Wiesberger is also from Austria and the 34-year-old also plays on the European Tour. In 2019 he finished third on the Race to Dubai standings on the strength of three victories that year. He has won seven times on the European Tour and is currently ranked among the top 30 in the world.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the 3M Open will be a TV-only event, with no spectators permitted on-site. For more information, visit www.3MOpen.com.
Even without spectators, the 3M Open is committed to remain a platform to give back and assist the communities
through the 3M Open Fund. The 3M Open Fund will donate funds raised to select Minnesota charities and highlight the ‘Power of Community’ throughout the event.
The 3M Open has identified eight major charity partners for this year’s tournament: M Health Fairview University of Minnesota Masonic Children’s Hospital, Greater Twin Cities United Way, VEAP, Urban Ventures, Lake Street Council, YWCA of Minneapolis, YWCA of St. Paul and the Science Museum of Minnesota.
About 3M
At 3M, we apply science in collaborative ways to improve lives daily. With $32 billion in sales, our 96,000 employees connect with customers all around the world. Learn more about 3M’s creative solutions to the world’s problems at www.3M.com or on Twitter @3M or @3MNews.
About the 3M Open
A PGA TOUR event, the 3M Open inaugural tournament was won by Matthew Wolff in thrilling fashion in July 2019, marking the first PGA TOUR stop in Minnesota in 50 years. Minnesota’s only PGA TOUR event is contested at the TPC Twin Cities. Managed by Pro Links Sports, the tournament benefits local programs through the 3M Open Fund. For more information, please visit www.3mopen.com. Follow the 3M Open at facebook.com/3MOpen and on Twitter @3MOpen.
Media Contact:
Lee Patterson, 3M Open Media Director, (704) 913-1088, lpatterson@3mopen.com