This column will provide any field updates, injury news, and other player notes in the days leading up to the 3M Open.

Field Updates

Sunday (7/23)

• Sean O'Hair (IN - sponsor exemption)

• David Hearn (IN - sponsor exemption)

• Caleb VanArragon (IN - sponsor exemption)

Monday (7/24)

• David Lingmerth (OUT) - Kevin Chappell (IN - sponsor exemption)

• Luke List (OUT) - Grayson Murray (IN)

• Akshay Bhatia (OUT) - S.Y. Noh (IN)

• Monday Qualifiers: Daniel Gale (IN), Alex Gaugert (IN), Kaito Ohishi (IN), Noah Hofman (IN)

Tuesday (7/25)

INJURY REPORT (as of 10am ET, 7/25):

Justin Thomas (wrist) -- IN

Justin Thomas played the second round of The Open Championship with his wrist taped up last Friday. He carded a 71, which was an 11-stroke improvement from his opening round 82 at Hoylake.

After Friday's round at Royal Liverpool, JT was asked if he feels physically healthy and he responded saying: "Yeah, I feel fine. My wrist was a little sore because I hit it in the fescue and bunkers so many times yesterday, but it's fine."

JT was also asked if his diet (one year gluten-free, six months dairy-free) was causing any health issues or negatively impacting his play. He said the diet is not a problem. "I wish I felt worse so I could say it was that."

Currently 75th in the FedExCup standings, JT is expected to play both the 3M Open this week and the Wyndham Championship next week to ensure he makes the FedExCup playoffs (top 70).

Luke List (foot, thumb) -- OUT

List withdrew from last week's Barracuda Championship before the start of R1 due to a thumb injury. The week prior, List finished T35 at the Scottish Open after returning from a foot injury.

The foot injury caused List to withdraw from the John Deere Classic a few days before the start (7/4). List also WD'd from the Rocket Mortgage Classic prior to his second-round tee time (6/30).

Update: List WD'd from the 3M Open on Monday.

Hideki Matsuyama (neck) -- IN

Matsuyama has remained relatively healthy this Summer, seemingly managing his neck issue well. He's coming off a T13 finish at The Open Championship.

Despite missing the cut at the Rocket Mortgage Classic (7/2), he finished T13 at the Travelers Championship (6/25), T32 at the U.S. Open (6/18), and T16 at the Memorial Tournament (6/4).

Nonetheless, Matsuyama's neck injury continues to be something to monitor week-to-week and any time he tees it up in an event. Matsuyama has dealt with this neck issue intermittently for the past two seasons.

At this moment, Matsuyama appears good to go for the 3M Open.

**

Older News:

According to a statement from PGA Tour Communications on April 28th, Matsuyama returned home to Japan after The Masters in order to receive treatment for his neck. However, according to the statement, Matsuyama's neck had not improved enough for him to compete at Quail Hollow.

Matsuyama ultimately returned to action at the AT&T Byron Nelson (May 11th-14th) after missing the Wells Fargo Championship. He finished T23 after shooting a final round 66 (-5) at TPC Craig Ranch.

Scott Piercy (back) -- IN

Piercy has been dealing with a back injury since withdrawing during the Travelers Championship on June 23rd. He also pulled out of the field at the Rocket Mortgage Classic prior to the start of the event (6/25).

Piercy's back issues continued into July, withdrawing during the second round of the John Deere Classic on July 7th. He returned at at the Barbasol Championship but missed the cut on the number. Piercy also competed in this past week's Barracuda Championship but missed the cut there as well.

He's currently listed in the field for the 3M Open, though his health status will be worth monitoring.

Kevin Yu (knee) -- IN

Yu returned at the Travelers Championship where he finished T49 (6/22-6/25). This was Yu's first start on the PGA Tour since undergoing surgery on February 20th for a torn meniscus. He's played four events since returning with Yu's best finish a T6 at the John Deere Classic (7/6-7/9).

Prior to the surgery, the rookie was having an excellent first season on the PGA Tour with seven made cuts in 10 starts, one top-5 finish, and two top-10 finishes. In his last start before the injury, Yu finished T7 at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am.

Yu appears to be doing fine with his knee at this point. He's currently in the field for the 3M Open and looking to make a late push towards the FedExCup playoffs (currently 94th in the standings).

C.T. Pan (neck) -- IN

Pan withdrew from the Rocket Mortgage Classic on June 29th due to a neck injury. He returned at the Genesis Scottish Open (7/13-7/16) but missed the cut. At this moment, Pan is listed in the field for the 3M Open.

Adam Long (neck) -- IN

Long battled a minor neck issue during the Barbasol Championship (7/13-7/16). It clearly wasn't a big deal as Long contended for much of that event, though eventually drifted back to a T16 finish. He played this past week at the Barracuda Championship but missed the cut. At this moment, Long is expected to tee it up at the 3M Open.

S.Y. Noh (back) -- IN

Noh withdrew from the Barbasol Championship on July 13th during the first round due to a back injury.

He returned the following week at the Barracuda Championship where Noh finished Tied-28th, suggesting the back injury was likely a minor issue. Noh is currently the 2nd alternate for the 3M Open.

Brandt Snedeker (chest/sternum) -- IN

Snedeker returned at the Memorial Tournament (June 1st-4th) and finished T41 after missing more than nine months due to a chest injury. He also played the following week at the RBC Canadian Open (June 8th-11th) but missed the cut after shooting 79-76.

Snedeker missed the cut as well at the Rocket Mortgage Classic (June 29th-July 2nd), John Deere Classic (July 6th-9th), and Barracda Championship (7/20-7/23).

Snedeker underwent a rare sternum procedure called a Manubrium Joint Stabilization last December and started hitting balls again on April 1st.

Joseph Bramlett (undisclosed) -- OUT

Bramlett withdrew from last week's Barracuda Championship a few days before the start of the event (7/17). He was not listed in the field for this week's 3M Open.

Currently 85th in the FedExCup standings, it seems likely that Bramlett is dealing with something as it would make sense for him to compete in the last two regular season events to try and make the playoffs (top 70). Bramlett missed the cut in each of his last four starts on the PGA Tour.

Aaron Wise (undisclosed) -- OUT

Wise has not competed on the PGA Tour since missing the cut at the U.S. Open on June 18th. He was initially listed in the field for the Travelers Championship but pulled out of that event (6/17).

Wise missed part of the season in April and May as he decided to focus on his mental health before returning to the PGA Tour. This could explain Wise's limited schedule at the moment, though no official updates have been made on Wise's status.

July 14th update: Wise did not qualify for The Open Championship. He also was not listed in the field for the Barracuda Championship.

July 21st update: Wise was not listed in the field for the 3M Open.

Kevin Kisner (illness, personal) -- OUT

Kisner has not played on the PGA Tour since he withdrew from the Travelers Championship during R1 on June 22nd due to an undisclosed illness.

He was seven strokes over par through nine holes at TPC River Highlands at the time of the WD. The 39-year-old either missed the cut or withdrew in each of his last seven starts in stroke play events on the PGA Tour.

Kisner was originally committed to play in the Rocket Mortgage Classic but then was not listed in the announced field. When asked on Twitter about why he chose not to tee it up at Detroit GC, Kisner replied "BC I suck right now."

Kisner's long-time caddie Duane Bock was the on-the-bag for Sepp Straka at the John Deere Classic. That relationship continued this past week at The Open where Straka finished runner-up. Bock is expected to keep caddying for Straka for the foreseeable future.

July 21st update: Kisner was not listed in the field for the 3M Open.

Tiger Woods (ankle, foot) -- OUT

Woods announced on April 19th that he underwent a subtalar fusion procedure to address his post-traumatic arthritis from a previous talus fracture. He is currently recovering and looks forward to beginning his rehabilitation.

The 15-time major champion withdrew in his most recent start at The Masters, citing a reaggravation of his plantar fasciitis after being seen walking with a noticeably worse limp during the third round. In February, Woods expressed his goal to play in all of the major championships this year. However, given this news of another ankle surgery and upcoming rehab, expectations should be tempered for Woods' chances at playing in the next three majors.

May 22nd update: Woods officially withdrew from the U.S. Open on May 22nd, and there's currently no official timetable for his return.

June 16th update: Woods officially withdrew from The Open Championship on June 16th, and there's currently no official timetable for his return.

Will Zalatoris (back) -- OUT FOR SEASON

Zalatoris announced on his Instagram account on April 10th that he underwent successful surgery on his back and will miss the rest of the season.

Zalatoris withdrew just prior to his first-round tee time at The Masters. As it turns out, Zalatoris was dealing with the same back issues (herniated discs) that caused him to be out for the last four months of 2022. Zalatoris has had a very promising start to his career, winning his first PGA Tour event last summer at the FedEx St. Jude Championship, but will now miss at least another five months following a microdiscectomy.

I've seen some confusion out there–this is the first time Zalatoris had back surgery. He did NOT have surgery in 2022 for this issue.

May 22nd update: Zalatoris announced on the ESPN broadcast during last week's PGA Championship that he feels pain-free for the first time in two years following back surgery. He's targeting a September return to the PGA Tour.

July 8th update: Zalatoris announced on Instagram that he would start chipping this upcoming week. This suggests that his recovery from back surgery is going well and that he's still targeting a September return to the PGA Tour.

July 17th update: Zalatoris revealed that he was about six weeks away from making full swings and that he would "probably" start playing again middle of October. He added that he's been finishing his degree from Wake Forest during his time off from the PGA Tour.

Daniel Berger (back) -- OUT

Berger remains sidelined from a back injury that has kept him out since the 2022 U.S. Open. Berger tried to play through this injury last season but said “that was definitely not the answer.” Instead, Berger has opted to take a more patient approach in his recovery. There's currently no timeline for his return to the PGA Tour.

MAY 2ND UPDATE:

This article from AP News provides background and insight into the back injury Berger has been dealing with for the past year. In the article, Berger notes that it's not a career-ending injury but knows it'll be a challenge to get back to where he was as a top player in the world.

Berger has been posting clips on his Instagram account of him swinging a golf club, suggesting that his return could come soon though there is no official date or tournament that he's committed to yet.

JUNE 6TH UPDATE:

Berger was originally slated to compete in one of the U.S. Open final qualifiers on Monday (June 5th) as he was given a tee time for the qualifier in Boynton Beach, Florida but withdrew a couple of days prior.

Hayden Buckley (chest/rib) -- OUT

Buckley suffered a torn muscle in his chest and rib area which forced him to withdraw from the Rocket Mortgage Classic on June 26th.

According to a Twitter post from Buckley, he met with a team of doctors who diagnosed pain in his rib area as a torn muscle. Buckley's recovery time is uncertain, and so it's currently unclear when he might return to the PGA Tour.

The 27-year-old reached as high as 71st in the Official World Golf Rankings this season, thanks in part to three top-5 finishes. However, Buckley missed the cut in each of his last four starts, which could make more sense if he attempted to play through injury. It will be important to keep an eye on updates on Buckley's health status in the coming weeks.

Maverick McNealy (left shoulder) -- OUT

McNealy announced in an Instagram post on June 21st that he would be out for the next few months due to a torn left anterior sternoclavicular ligament. He's hopeful to return to the PGA Tour sometime in the Fall.

McNealy first suffered this injury back at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am in February, which caused him to miss about a month of the season. At the beginning of June, at the RBC Canadian Open, the injury worsened and McNealy decided to properly address the nagging ailment by taking time off.

According to McNealy's social media post, the injury won't require surgery. Instead, McNealy plans to focus on physical therapy, biomechanics analysis, golf swing chances, and regenerative stem-cell treatments in order to treat the injury. Though not confirmed, it appears McNealy will likely miss the remainder of the 2022-23 PGA Tour season as he looks to return once fully healthy at some point in the Fall portion of next season's schedule.

Jhonattan Vegas (elbow) -- OUT

Vegas announced on his personal Twitter account on April 27th that he suffered an elbow injury related to the one that plagued him last year. He underwent surgery in April of 2022, and then later in the year Vegas opted to take the entire Fall portion of the PGA Tour schedule off due to this recurrent injury.

The 38-year-old has not played in a PGA Tour event since the Valspar Championship (3/19). Vegas said the recovery is taking longer than he expected but is working hard to return as soon as possible.

Erik Barnes (knee) -- OUT

Barnes underwent knee surgery on April 3rd and is without a timetable for his return to the PGA Tour.

The 35-year-old rookie posted on Twitter that he was having reconstructive surgery on his MPFL and a repair of his MCL. Barnes said he's battled knee subluxation issues for the last couple of years which have worsened over the past few weeks. According to Barnes' social media post, the surgery was successful but he expects a long road in his recovery and eventual return to the PGA Tour.

John Huh (elbow tendinitis) -- OUT

Huh has yet to play in an event in 2023 due to elbow tendinitis. His last start came at The RSM Classic (November 20th, 2022).

Philip Knowles (hand) -- OUT

Knowles announced on his Instagram account that he severed a nerve in his thumb back on February 1st, underwent surgery on February 24th, and started swinging a golf club again on April 14th.

He noted that (as of May 1st) he's nearly back to full function but "range of motion is limited due to scar tissue" and "lack of sensation in the outside part of my thumb."

Knowles made a rehab start on the Korn Ferry Tour on June 25th at the Compliance Solutions Championship but missed the cut.

Other Player News:

Akshay Bhatia - OUT

Bhatia withdrew from the 3M Open on Monday. Coming off his first career PGA Tour victory at the Barracuda Championship, it's very likely that Bhatia wanted a breather this week.

Jimmy Walker - IN

Walker withdrew from last week's Barracuda Championship a few days before the start of the event. He's expected to return this week at the 3M Open. Walker last played this event in 2021 and finished T11.

Dylan Wu - IN

Wu withdrew from last week's Barracuda Championship a few days before the start of the event. He's expected to return this week at the 3M Open. Wu's only previous start at this event came in 2022 where he missed the cut.

Hank Lebioda - IN

Lebioda withdrew from last week's Barracuda Championship a few days before the start of the event. He's expected to return this week at the 3M Open. Lebioda finished T16 at last year's 3M Open and has made the cut in 3/4 starts at this event.

Sepp Straka - IN

Straka will continue to work with Duane Bock–long-time caddie for Kevin Kisner–who first caddied for Straka when he won the John Deere Classic two weeks ago. This player-caddie relationship appears to be continuing for the foreseeable future.

Straka is set to compete at the 3M Open for the fourth time–his best finish is a T18 in 2020; he missed the cut at TPC Twin Cities in 2019 and 2021.

Erik van Rooyen - IN

Van Rooyen will seek a fill-in caddie this week as his regular caddie (Alex Gaugert) open qualified on Monday and will compete in the 3M Open as well.