By Christopher Powers
On Sunday at the 3M Open, two potential “next big thing” stories could very well play out, as former amateur standouts Matthew Wolff and Collin Morikawa are tied for the lead at 15 under. But it’s former next big thing turned five-time PGA Tour winner Bryson DeChambeau who could spoil both of those coming-out parties.

Unlike Wolff and Morikawa, DeChambeau struggled to make birdies on Saturday at TPC Twin Cities, and after 17 holes were at even par with one birdie and one bogey. After a hooked drive at the 18th, it looked as though he’d be heading into the final round trailing the two young studs, but he went for the bold play, hitting a hybrid out of thick rough over the water guarding the 18th green. He got up and down for birdie for a one-under 70 from a greenside bunker to tie for the lead, though he’ll be in the second-to-last group off in the final round.

The final group will be Morikawa and Wolff, who are a combined 42 years old. Wolff, the younger one at just 20 years and two months, is the youngest 54 hole leader or co-leader on the PGA Tour since 1983. The former Oklahoma State standout flirted with 59 on Saturday, eventually settling for a nine-under 62 to match DeChambeau and Scott Piercy for the low score of the tournament.

And then there is Morikawa, who had just as decorated if not a more decorated an amateur career than Wolff without nearly the fanfare. Much of that is due to Wolff’s unusual swing, which has captured the attention of the golf world. But Morikawa, who played at California, should not be overlooked, as he proved on Saturday with a third-round 64.

“I’ve always had this dream of finishing school, four years, going to graduation and coming out here [on the PGA Tour] and doing what I’ve wanted to do since I was a little kid,” said Morikawa. “Finally being able to come out here, having these starts throughout the summer, it’s been awesome. Obviously, there’s a learning curve and you learn every single day so much, but I’ve put three solid rounds together so far and I look forward to tomorrow.”

Wyndham Clark and Adam Hadwin are tied for second at 14 under, while Hideki Matsuyama, Charles Howell III and Troy Merritt are tied for sixth at 13 under. Another young rising star, Joaquin Niemann, as among a group at 12 under.