DEFENDING CHAMPION: American Michael Thompson shot 19-under-par 265 last year to defeat his compatriot Adam Long by two shots.

COURSE: The Arnold Palmer and Tom Lehman-designed TPC Twin Cities opened in 2000 and has hosted this event since its inception in 2019. The par-71 will play to 6,795 metres this week, is framed by mature oak, spruce and pine trees and features 27 bodies of water. One of the more intriguing holes is the par-4 7th hole, which, last year, played nearly 50 metres shorter than its current length of 340 metres. Will the longer hitters still be able to reach the putting surface from the new tee box?

RELATED: So-called expert golf tips for this week

PRIZEMONEY: US$6,600,000.

PLAYERS TO WATCH …

World No.2 Dustin Johnson returned to form at Royal St. George’s last week to share eighth place – his best result in five months – despite his disappointing third round of three-over 73.

The American has now enjoyed four consecutive top-25s and will be eager to put on a show at TPC Twin Cities, where he was forced to withdraw last year due to back pain following an opening round of 78.

Johnson will also be eager, you would imagine, to regain his status as World No.1 which he has lost, regained and lost again to Jon Rahm in recent weeks. The 37-year-old hasn’t won on home soil since his dominant Masters victory last November. Surely that statement will be in danger come Sunday evening.

RIGHT: Michael Thompson won his second PGA Tour title when he claimed the 3M Open at TPC Twin Cities last year. PHOTO: Matthew Stockman/Getty Images.

Victorian Lucas Herbert returned to the winner’s circle on the European Tour at the Irish Open three weeks ago. Now, following three weeks of national Opens, he returns to US soil, where he will be looking to make a statement on the PGA Tour.

The 25-year-old, who has risen to 50th in the world rankings, is yet to record a top-10 result on the lucrative US circuit. But he has only teed it up at five regular events so far and enjoyed back-to-back top-20s at the Memorial Tournament (T18th) and Travelers Championship (T19th) last month.

Herbert, who now owns two European Tour titles thanks to his recent success in Ireland, is certainly one of the form players in the field this week. Here’s hoping he can capitalise on that.

South African Louis Oosthuizen was understandably frustrated after letting yet another opportunity slip at a major championship last week. What cannot be overlooked, however, is his incredible form.

The 38-year-old has made 12 straight cuts and was runner-up at the US PGA Championship, runner-up at the US Open and T3rd at The Open. How good’s that?!

Oosthuizen will be making his first appearance at the 3M Open this week. But if his putter remains hot, look out.

72-HOLE RECORD: Young gun Matthew Wolff fired 21-under-par 263 on his way to his maiden PGA Tour title at the inaugural event in 2019. The American defeated his compatriots Bryson DeChambeau and last week’s Open champ Collin Morikawa by one shot.

PAST AUSSIE WINNERS: No previous Australian winners.

AUSTRALIANS IN THE FIELD: Aaron Baddeley, Greg Chalmers, Cam Davis, Rhein Gibson, Lucas Herbert, Cameron Percy and John Senden.

TV TIMES*

Round 1: Friday (Fox Sports 503 LIVE 4:30am – 8:30am)
Round 2: Saturday (Fox Sports 503 LIVE 4:30am – 8:30am)
Round 3: Sunday (Fox Sports 503 LIVE 3am – 8am)
Round 4: Monday (Fox Sports 503 LIVE 3am – 8am)

*AEST, check local guides