Blaine, Minn. — The 3M Open witnessed a day of high drama and exceptional golf as Thorbjorn Olesen and Akshay Bhatia emerged as co-leaders after the third round. Olesen, the seasoned Danish golfer, delivered a masterclass with a 4-under 67, highlighted by a stunning hole-in-one on the par-3 eighth. Bhatia, on the other hand, showcased his youthful exuberance with a blistering 63, setting the tone for what promises to be an electrifying final round.

Olesen's Masterstroke

Olesen's ace on the eighth hole was a moment of pure brilliance. Using a 6-iron on the 209-yard par-3, he executed a perfect shot that took advantage of the slope and found the bottom of the cup. "It was a back pin. It just felt like I couldn't get there with a 7, so we went for a soft 6-iron," Olesen explained. "Obviously, took the slope perfectly, a big bonus to see it go in. It's been a long time since I've had one."

Bhatia's Charge

Bhatia, the 23-year-old Californian, was in scintillating form, chipping in twice and sinking numerous crucial putts. "I chipped in twice, made a lot of putts," Bhatia said. "A lot of putts lipped in, which was really nice to see. All in all, just a pretty solid round. Felt like I did a pretty good job of playing out of the rough today. I didn't hit it particularly great off the tee, but thankfully greens are soft enough to where you can kind of do that."

Kitayama's Record-Matching Round

Kurt Kitayama matched the tournament and course record with a remarkable 60, featuring 12 birdies and a single bogey. His front-nine score of 7-under 28 was particularly impressive. "I was just kind of going out there," Kitayama said. "I don't think you really have a number going out into any round, just kind of take what you can get."

The Final Round Awaits

With the stage set for a thrilling conclusion, Olesen and Bhatia are poised for a head-to-head battle. Olesen, an eight-time European Tour winner, is chasing his first PGA Tour title, while Bhatia aims to add another victory to his growing resume. The final round promises to be a test of nerves, skill, and strategy as these two talented golfers vie for the coveted 3M Open title.

Other Notables

Takumi Kanaya and Sam Stevens are also in contention, tied at 17 under. NCAA winner Michael La Sasso, despite a strong showing, remains tied for 16th at 13 under. The amateur's performance has been commendable, especially after missing the cut in the Barracuda Championship last week.

As the 3M Open heads into its final round, golf fans around the world are in for a treat. Will Olesen's experience prevail, or will Bhatia's youthful energy carry him to victory? Only time will tell.