Now that the 2024 3M Open is in the books, it might be the time to ask whether or not the current spot in the PGA TOUR schedule is good for the event’s future sustainability.

While the TOUR’s schedule rotates slightly each season, the 3M has been typically at the end of July or early August.  From a weather perspective, that time of year does make sense.  Other than the occasional rainstorm, it is golfing weather in Minnesota.

What doesn’t make sense is that it falls, at least in recent years, the week after the Open Championship making it difficult to attract the biggest names in the game.

When big names do commit, they often times withdraw because they had a top finish in the UK and probably don’t need the FedEx Cup points anymore.  Such was the case for Justin Rose this year.

A final round 67 positioned Rose into a tie for second, moving him up from 77^th to 52^nd.  That 25-point jump not only moved him into playoffs, but in all likelihood will mean he will qualify for both of the first two playoff events.  A couple of decent performances would almost assuredly get him into East Lake and the TOUR Championship.

There have been occasions where a top name that sits outside the top 70 would add the 3M to their schedule with the hopes of accumulating enough points to get into the playoffs.

Such was the case in 2023 when Justin Thomas added both the 3M and the Wyndham Championship in an attempt to get inside the number.  Unfortunately, a missed cut at the 3M and a lipped-out chip on the 72^nd hole at the Wyndham left him just outside the number.

Unfortunately, there really isn’t much the organizers of the 3M can do about where the tournament falls.  A great deal of politics does go into trying to get a great spot, but with the current split between LIV Golf and the PGA TOUR there are fewer and fewer big names to draw from therefore making the spot in the calendar even more imperative.

So, with all this in mind, maybe it is time to see if the tournament can be moved.  Perhaps to the fall series?

We all know the fall in Minnesota is beautiful.  The courses are arguably in the best conditions all year.  The only proof you need was the most recent Ryder Cup held at Hazeltine.  The entire week was chamber of commerce type weather.

Of course, the likelihood of big-name players participating is slim, but no slimmer than where the tournament sits currently.  What you will get is the chance for players to have a potentially life-altering week.  Underdog stories would be everywhere.  In sort…content for golf fans to consume.

Admittedly, the fall does present some interesting challenges, not the least of which how football crazed this market is.  Golf would have a difficult time attracting an audience with college football and the NFL in full swing.

The window for getting in the tournament is small.  Best bet for weather to be good playing conditions is the first three weeks of September.  After that, just about anything can happen.

But a tournament with a reputation of exciting finishes on 18 on Sunday would still capture a significant audience.

When you ask organizers, they will tell you they are happy with the current spot.  Their point is fair.  They get people trying to get into the playoffs.  When you see the movement up the standings for winner Jhonattan Vegas (83 spots) and runner-up Max Greyserman (moved up 23 spots), there are some very compelling storylines to follow.

However, given where it falls, most casual golf fans are looking for the big names and it is more and more unlikely that that will happen.

It would require a major rebranding effort but with the ever-present threat of sponsors pulling out or not renewing their contracts, rebranding would most likely be required anyway.

At the end of the day, we’ll take what the PGA TOUR gives us.  After all, it is an annual stop that other larger markets like Chicago don’t get, but perhaps a move to the fall series is what’s best for the tournament.