Despite the Odds in His Favor, PGA Tour Pro Kills His Million Dollar Dream Over a Gift of a Lifetime

The 3M Open is going in full swing at the TPC Twin Cities in Blaine, Minnesota. After the Open Championship last week, many players are trying their luck at this PGA Tour tournament.

However, one PGA Tour pro who was supposed to play at the event and had great odds in his favor, had to withdraw suddenly due to a life-changing reason. Let’s find out what instigated the pro’s departure.

3 times PGA Tour Winner withdraws suddenly from the 3M Open

PGA Tour pro Cameron Champ, who won the event in 2021, was slated to appear at the tournament but had to withdraw from it due to a very big reason. Champ made the withdrawal before Thursday’s opening round and his scheduled afternoon tee time, owing to the birth of his first child. Champ and his wife Jessica Birdsong, welcomed a baby boy on Sunday evening.

Cameron got married to Jessica in December 2020, and in January this year, he announced on Instagram that the couple were expecting a baby boy. 

In the caption he wrote – “ This little boy will be the greatest gift we could ever ask for! “💙

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He was congratulated by other golfers after the announcement. This week the Californian golfer was trying to go to Minneapolis on Wednesday night or Thursday morning, but later choose to be with his wife and newborn son. Replacing Champ on the field will be Chris Stroud. It would be disappointing for fans who had seen Champ win at the tournament two years ago, to witness his absence this year, but for a heartwarming reason!

Cameron Champ’s big win at the 3M Open in 2021

In 2021, Champ scored his third win on the PGA Tour at the 3M Open. In the final round, he made five birdies. He went on to make a two-stroke victory after hitting a gap wedge on the 72nd hole from 127 yards and saving par with 3 feet. He beat players like Louis Oosthuizen, Jhonattan Vegas, and Charl Schwartzel who tied for the second rank. Winning the tournament awarded him with a $11,880,000 prize money.

Now that Champ is not on the field, the only defending champion will be Tony Finau, who will try his best to win the title. After the second round, he is tied for the 10th spot with Kevin Streelman currently taking the lead.

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