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Calls Mount Against PGA Tour’s Unexpected Decision at 3M Open

Originally posted on Athlon Sports
By Rowan Fisher-Shotton | Last updated Jul 24, 2025 2:18 PM ET

The PGA Tour rolled into TPC Twin Cities for the seventh annual 3M Open amid a soft, rain‑soaked test in Blaine, Minnesota.

The par‑71 layout stretches 7,431 yards through water hazards, generous fairways and penal rough, making it one of the tougher non‑major stops on Tour.

Last year’s champion, Jhonattan Vegas, returns to defend his title at an event with an $8.4 million purse.

Overnight storms left the course in damp disarray, and forecasters predicted temperatures in the mid 80s with a small chance of a thunderstorm later in the day.

With fairways holding water and mud clinging to the grass, the PGA Tour revealed that, due to rainfall Wednesday, preferred lies would be in use for the first round of the 3M Open.

Due to rainfall yesterday, preferred lies in use for the first round of the 3M Open.
— PGA TOUR Communications (@PGATOURComms) July 24, 2025

Under this Model Local Rule E‑3, commonly called "preferred lies" or "lift, clean and place," players may mark, lift, clean and place their ball in closely mown areas, typically no more than one club‑length from the original spot, and no nearer the hole.

The rule is invoked only when widespread adverse conditions, like heavy rain, make fair play or course protection a priority. It should be withdrawn once the turf is back in tournament shape.

The decision drew immediate criticism from golf fans.

"Lift, clean, and cheat," said one user.

"Pathetic," another fan commented.

"Softest tour in the world. I’m watching LIV this week anyway," replied one other user.

"Another 22 under tournament winner this week," another commenter responded.

"Charmin should be your title sponsor," said one other fan.

"Booo," another user replied.

As the 3M Open kicks off under lift, clean and place conditions, all eyes will be on how quickly the field turns red numbers and whether the preferred‑lies experiment will return in Round  2.

With major‑season momentum behind them, players who can master the truncated lie may find themselves atop the leaderboard when the rain pattern finally breaks.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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