Name: Minnesota grad Ben Warian makes first pro start with huge support at 3M Open
Uploaded: 2024-07-26T00:53:36.000Z
Duration: 188 s

In the opening round of the 2024 3M Open, University of Minnesota grad Ben Warian made his first PGA TOUR start on a sponsor exemption and played in front of a large, supportive group of friends and family. The Stillwater, Minnesota, native and his parents discuss his strong collegiate career as a Minnesota Golden Gopher and dream of playing professionally. Warian carded a 2-under 69 on Thursday at TPC Twin Cities.

Minnesota grad Ben Warian makes first pro start with huge support at 3M Open

Ahead of making his PGA TOUR debut at the 2024 3M Open, University of Minnesota alumnus Ben Warian spends time coaching First Tee participant Lucia Halstrom. Halstrom was introduced to the game of golf while recovering from a sudden cardiac arrest in 2014. Golf now plays a huge role in Halstrom's life, as it has given her leadership skills, a close circle of friends and a new identity.

Ben Warian gives First Tee participant tips on her swing and breaking 100

Following his opening-round 4-under 68 at the 2026 THE PLAYERS Championship, Justin Thomas talks about rebounding after struggling at the 2026 Arnold Palmer Invitational. 

Justin Thomas’ interview after Round 1 of THE PLAYERS

Following his opening-round 5-under 67 at the 2026 THE PLAYERS Championship, Sahith Theegala talks about carrying over his momentum from previous weeks and his 99-yard eagle hole-out on the par-4 12th hole. 

Sahith Theegala's interview after Round 1 of THE PLAYERS

Following his opening-round 5-under 67 at the 2026 THE PLAYERS Championship, Sepp Straka talks about his relationship with THE PLAYERS Stadium Course at TPC Sawgrass and the overall playing conditions.

Sepp Straka’s interview after Round 1 of THE PLAYERS

Check out the best shots from Round 1 of the 2026 THE PLAYERS Championship, featuring Sahith Theegala, Sepp Straka, and Justin Thomas, among others. 

Highlights | Round 1 | THE PLAYERS | 2026

In the opening round of the 2026 THE PLAYERS Championship, Sahith Theegala carded a 5-under 67 to earn a share of the lead at the conclusion of the first day. 

Sahith Theegala shoots 5-under 67 | Round 1 | THE PLAYERS

In the opening round of the 2026 THE PLAYERS Championship, Justin Thomas shot a 4-under 68, the best opening round of his career at the tournament. 

Justin Thomas shoots 4-under 68 | Round 1 | THE PLAYERS

In the first round of the 2026 THE PLAYERS, Matti Schmid's 291-yard drive on the 443-yard, par-4 18th landed in the right cart path, leaving 182 yards to the hole, his 183-yard approach shot from the primary rough landed on the left green, finishing 15 feet 2 inches from the hole, and he made a 15-foot-2-inch putt for birdie.

Matti Schmid hits 183-yard approach to 15 feet, sets up birdie on No. 18 at THE PLAYERS

In the opening round of the 2026 THE PLAYERS Championship, Sahith Theegala holes out for a 99-yard eagle on the par-4 12th hole. 

Sahith Theegala’s incredible eagle hole-out is the Shot of the Day

In the opening round of the 2026 THE PLAYERS, Max McGreevy’s drive on the 443-yard, par-4 18th hole travels 272 yards and ends in the right fairway, his 181-yard approach shot from the fairway lands on the left green, finishing 2 feet 5 inches from the hole, and he made a 2-foot 5-inch putt for birdie.

Max McGreevy hits 181-yard approach to 2 feet, makes birdie on No. 18 at THE PLAYERS

In the first round of the 2026 THE PLAYERS, Jason Day's drive on the 606-yard, par-5 9th hole travels 297 yards, landing in the left fairway and leaving 310 yards to the hole, his 259-yard shot from the fairway lands in the right fairway, leaving 57 yards to the hole, his 57-yard approach shot from the fairway lands on the right green, finishing 2 feet from the hole, and he makes a 2-foot putt for birdie.

Jason Day hits 57-yard approach to 2 feet, sets up birdie on No. 9 at THE PLAYERS

In the opening round of the 2026 THE PLAYERS, Austin Smotherman's 229-yard drive on the 223-yard par-3 8th lands on the left green, finishing 34 feet 1 inch from the hole, and he made a 34-foot 1-inch putt for birdie.

Austin Smotherman sinks 34-foot birdie putt on No. 8 at THE PLAYERS

Rick Gehman joins the Golfbet crew to discuss Thursday's action and who is trending up the leaderboard.

Golfbet Recap: Updating bets after Thursday at THE PLAYERS

In the first round of the 2026 THE PLAYERS, Sudarshan Yellamaraju's 222-yard shot from the fairway lands in the left intermediate rough, finishing 37 feet 6 inches from the hole, his 40-foot 8-inch shot from the rough lands on the left green, finishing 3 feet from the hole, and he made a 3-foot putt for birdie.

Sudarshan Yellamaraju taps in from 3 feet for birdie on No. 16 at THE PLAYERS

In the first round of the 2026 THE PLAYERS, Zach Bauchou's drive on the 545-yard, par-5 16th travels 298 yards, landing in the left fairway and leaving 243 yards to the hole, his 251-yard shot from the fairway lands in the left rough, finishing 38 feet 2 inches from the hole, his 47-foot 9-inch shot from the primary rough lands on the right green, finishing 10 feet from the hole, and he made a 10-foot putt for birdie.

Zachary Bauchou sinks 10-foot birdie putt on No. 16 at THE PLAYERS

In the opening round of the 2026 THE PLAYERS, A.J. Ewart's drive on the 545-yard, par-5 16th hole travels 295 yards into the right fairway, his 256-yard approach from the fairway lands in the left intermediate rough 37 feet 2 inches from the hole, his 39-feet-5-inch chip from the rough lands 23 inches from the hole, and he makes the 23-inch putt for birdie.

A.J. Ewart taps in from 2 feet for birdie on No. 16 at THE PLAYERS

In the first round of the 2026 THE PLAYERS, Cameron Young's drive on the 606-yard, par-5 9th went 300 yards into the right rough, his 164-yard shot from the rough landed in the right fairway, his 134-yard approach from the fairway landed on the left green 5 inches from the hole, and he made the 5-inch putt for birdie.

Cameron Young hits 134-yard approach to 5 inches, makes birdie on No. 9 at THE PLAYERS

In the first round of the 2026 THE PLAYERS, Takumi Kanaya's drive on the 545-yard, par-5 16th travels 290 yards, landing in the right fairway and leaving 258 yards to the hole, his 255-yard shot from the fairway lands in the left intermediate rough, finishing 64 feet 11 inches from the hole, his 76-foot 1-inch shot from the intermediate rough lands on the right green, finishing 10 feet 10 inches from the hole, and he made a 10-foot 10-inch putt for birdie.

Takumi Kanaya sinks 11-foot birdie putt on No. 16 at THE PLAYERS

In the first round of the 2026 THE PLAYERS, Matti Schmid's drive on the 545-yard, par-5 16th hole traveled 333 yards into the right fairway, leaving 210 yards to the hole, his 200-yard shot from the fairway landed in the left fairway finishing 47 feet 7 inches from the hole, his 45-foot 11-inch shot from the fairway landed on the left green and finished 23 inches from the hole, and he made a 23-inch putt for birdie.