Walking the Fairways at TPC Twin Cities: Scenes from the 2026 3M Open

There's something about Minnesota in July that catches you off guard if you've never experienced it. The light lingers until nearly ten o'clock, painting TPC Twin Cities in shades of amber and rose that make every photograph look edited. But I assure you, walking these fairways during the 2026 3M Open, nothing needed enhancement.

The Course Comes Alive

TPC Twin Cities opened in 2000, designed by Arnold Palmer and Tom Lehman—a Minnesota native who understands what it means to play golf where winter lasts five months and summer feels like borrowed time. That urgency translates into the atmosphere here. Fans arrive early. They stay late. They appreciate this.

The course itself sits in Blaine, just north of Minneapolis, and the morning I arrived, fog was lifting off the water hazards like steam from a cup of coffee. By the time players started their practice rounds, the grounds had that particular shimmer that only well-maintained tournament turf possesses—each blade catching light at a slightly different angle.

Equipment Spotlight: Srixon's ZXi Irons Make Their Debut

Beyond the competitive drama, the 3M Open has become a quiet proving ground for equipment launches, and this year was no exception. Srixon chose this week to showcase their new ZXi irons, and tour photographers captured players testing them on the range with the kind of curiosity that tells you something significant is happening.

The ZXi line represents Srixon's latest evolution in iron technology, and watching professionals put them through their paces—checking ball flight, feeling for feedback—reminded me why equipment galleries at tour events have become destinations in their own right. There's an intimacy to seeing a player's hands wrap around a club for the first few times, testing the weight, the balance, the way the clubface meets the ball.

The Human Element

What photographs from events like this rarely capture is the sound. TPC Twin Cities hums during tournament week. Not just with crowd noise, but with the particular rhythm of a major PGA Tour event: the click of cameras, the murmur of strategy conversations between caddies and players, the satisfying compression of a well-struck iron shot.

The galleries here are knowledgeable. Minnesota has produced its share of golf talent—Tom Lehman, Tim Herron, and a devoted amateur population that understands course management and shot selection. They applaud good decisions, not just good results. That distinction matters.

Visual Treasures Throughout the Week

Tour photographer Greg Moore documented the week extensively, creating galleries that go beyond typical tournament coverage. The "What's In The Bag" collections alone offer insight into how professionals are setting up for TPC Twin Cities' particular challenges—its generous fairways that demand precision on approach shots, its water features that punish complacency.

For equipment enthusiasts, these galleries serve as a kind of window shopping experience. For course architecture fans, they reveal how a Palmer-Lehman design presents itself under tournament conditions. And for those of us who simply love the aesthetics of professional golf, they're a reminder of why we keep coming back to these events.

Why Blaine Deserves Your Attention

The 3M Open doesn't carry the weight of a major championship or the cachet of a signature event. But there's value in that. The atmosphere remains accessible. The course plays beautifully. And the summer light of Minnesota creates conditions that photographers dream about.

If you've never considered a trip to see tournament golf in the Upper Midwest, the 3M Open should be on your list. The Twin Cities offer excellent infrastructure, the fans understand the game, and TPC Twin Cities presents a test that rewards smart play without punishing minor mistakes excessively.

Key Takeaways

• TPC Twin Cities, designed by Arnold Palmer and Tom Lehman, showcases exceptional summer playing conditions
• Srixon's new ZXi irons made their tour debut, generating significant interest among equipment watchers
• The 3M Open offers an accessible, knowledgeable atmosphere for fans seeking authentic tour golf experiences
• Minnesota's extended summer daylight creates stunning visual conditions throughout tournament week