'It was unreal': Underdog's improbable 3M Open run inspired by late grandma

This week is a dream come true for Muzzy Donohue, but it started like a nightmare. On Monday — days before teeing it up at the 2026 3M Open, his first-ever PGA Tour event — Donohue’s grandmother Marcey died.

It was a shock to the whole family, many of whom are in attendance this week to watch Muzzy, who grew up nearby, make his Tour debut. That includes his cousin Harrison, who is caddying for Muzzy this week.

Against all odds, Muzzy and Harrison not only made the cut on Friday, they’re in contention at the halfway point. That’s just the beginning of this most improbable of Tour debuts.

Muzzy Donohue contends at 3M Open after grandma’s death: ‘She’s been with us’

The first thing to know about Donohue’s PGA Tour debut at the 3M Open is that he probably shouldn’t be here at all.

Donohue, 25, played college golf at Boston College and Santa Clara. This year, he failed to earn his PGA Tour Latinoamerica card in Q School. He’s been stuck grinding on mini tours as a result.

Two weeks ago, things changed. Donohue won the Minnesota State Open, and then received a sponsor’s exemption into the 3M Open.

After an opening-round 73, it looked like Donohue’s week on the PGA Tour would be a brief one. Then Friday happened.

With the hometown fans cheering him on, Donohue went out in Round 2 and fired an eight-under 63. Far beyond making the cut, Donohue ended the day inside the top 30 on the leaderboard and just one shot behind World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler.

“It was unreal,” Donohue said after his round on Friday. “It’s hard to put words to it. I mean, I’ve never really experienced this before. This is my first PGA Tour event.”

Muzzy Donohue on caddie: ‘He knows like very little about golf’

Donohue gave a lot of credit to his cousin-turned-caddie Harrison. But not exactly for his golf advice. He described Harrison as a “vibes guy” who knows “very little about golf.”

“He’s been awesome. He knows like very little about golf. He tells you he knows a little bit, but he knows even less than that,” Donohue joked about his caddie. “He’s been purely just like the vibes guy.”

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Jokes aside, Donohue explained that there have been real benefits to having his cousin on the bag.

“It’s been great having him on the bag. He just gets my mind off golf. I can kind of be a little bit of an overanalyzer, so the less I think about golf the better for me,” Donohue explained.

As for specifics, Donohue said Harrison kept his mind off the stress of final stretch by telling some “funny high school stories” that he said were “maybe not for the camera.”

There is one drawback to having a novice on his bag: “I’ve been getting my yardages and stuff, which is a little adjustment.”

Muzzy Donohue on late grandmother: ‘She’s looking down on me’

But Harrison has also been there to talk to Donohue about their late grandmother.

“We’ve been talking about our grandma and how she’s been with us. She passed away on Monday so that’s been really hard for the family. But it’s nice to kind of have everyone together. Yeah, it’s been great,” Donohue said.

He explained how he’s felt his grandma’s spirit with him this week, willing him to success. And he did so with more than a touch of humor.

“My grandma was definitely with me this week, too. Or today, today. Yesterday she left me for the first 10 holes or so, then she kind of came into play,” Donohue joked. “Yeah, she’s looking down on me and looking out for me. It was a good day.”

He also revealed he’s marking his balls with his grandma’s name this week and has been rubbing her name to stay grounded.

As for the weekend, Donohue is just hoping his grandma doesn’t leave his side the next two days.

“Hopefully she’s not sick of me and will stick around the next couple days,” Donohue joked.

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