‘Want To Loop’: 2 Years After His Maiden Victory, PGA Tour Pro Faces an Awkward Competition From a Close Person

A glitzy field of star athletes will showcase their gameplay on the course at TPC Twin Cities in Blaine. The game tees off next week from the 27th of July to the 30th of July for the 3M Open. This coveted event is the second last one, of the PGA Tour this season and will have a hefty price pool of $7.8 million which is an increase from previous year’s purse of around $7.5 million. 

This is a 72-par course event. And around 156 players have promisingly shown their interest this year. Reportedly, the South African golfer Eric Van Rooyen, who had a PGA Tour victory in 2021, will also be participating this year. But, alongside him, someone else close to him might be seen as well. Let’s find out who it is.

Eric Van Rooyen has a quaint partner for the 3M Open

Eric Van Rooyen has one PGA Tour win in his name, which is the 2021 Barracuda Championship. This came to him as a boon in disguise and settled him a place in the 3M Open. But Eric’s spirits soared high when he discovered that his caddie who has been with him since 2019 would also be playing at the tournament!

Alex Gaugert, the American golfer qualified this Monday through the Open qualifying events. The American was one of the four players who got their place secured in the competition. His score of 6-under par and position of T2 in the Victory Links Golf Club, Blaine, Minneapolis, aided him in this place in the 3M Open Championship. Alongside him, other Monday qualifiers were Daniel Gale, Kaito Onishi, and Noah Hofman. 

Hence, after receiving this outstanding news, his University of Minnesota friend, Rooyen couldn’t hold himself back and tweeted saying, “So my caddie @lil_gaugs just qualified for the 3M Open! What a STUD!!! Soooooooo anyone want to loop this week @PGATour?!,” showcasing his utmost joy in learning that his caddie would be playing alongside him. But then again, as Rooyen is happy for his friend, it also prompts the idea that now Alex is his competition too. 

Which other players will be seen in the 2023 3M Open?

Some significant names qualified to play in this year’s 3M Open are as follows:

• World no. 19, Tony Finau, who is also the defending champion. 
• World no. 15 Cameron Young, one of the highest-rated players.
• Justin Thomas, winner of the PGA Championship in 2017 and 2022.
• Sepp Straka who had two PGA Tour wins previously.
• Hideki Matsuyama, who was the first Japanese golfer to win a major. He won the 2021 Masters Championship.

Read More: Where Is the 3M Open Played? Everything You Need to Know About TPC Twin Cities

But the event will also miss out on important names like Jon Rahm, Rory McIlroy, and many more. 

Who is your pick to win for the 3M Open? Let us know in the comments below. 

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