For more than a decade, the top pro golf tour in men’s golf has not featured a Minnesotan on a full-time basis.

That streak will end in January when Frankie Capan III tees it up on the PGA Tour as a fully-exempt cardholder.

The North Oaks’ product effectively sealed his card weeks ago, but he hit the point threshold to make it official with his tie for 12th place over the weekend at the Simmons Bank Open in Franklin, Tennessee. Capan carded a 6-under, 64 on Sunday to get to 15-under for the tournament.

The top-30 players on the Korn Ferry Tour’s season-long points list earn the promotion to the PGA Tour. Capan is 14th with two playoff events to play. It’s mathematically impossible for the 24-year-old to fall out of the top 30, which is why the tour declared him to be officially “Tour Bound” on Sunday.

Capan is believed to be the first Minnesota native to be fully exempt on the PGA Tour since Minnetonka native Donald Constable had status in 2013.

Capan is a fast riser in professional golf. The 2024 campaign was just his second as a pro. He used a memorable run through qualifying school in the fall of 2022 to go from no status on any tour to the Korn Ferry Tour — the PGA Tour’s primary feeder tour — last year. Capan played well enough to maintain his status heading into this season, and logged a pair of top-two finishes to cement himself inside the top 30.

Capan has played in each of the past two U.S. Opens. He made the cut in the major championship this summer, just as he did when he teed it up at the 3M Open on a sponsor’s exemption last year. He passed on an invitation to play in Minnesota’s PGA Tour event this summer, citing a will to make it on his own merit in years to come — then he his play brought that wish to fruition.

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The silence told the story on Sunday afternoon at U.S. Bank Stadium as Justin Jefferson stayed down on the ground. You could feel the fan base starting to fear the worse as the standout receiver slowly stood up and limped to the medical tent.

Was it another hamstring injury? Luckily for the Vikings it was not.

It turned out to be a quad injury for Jefferson, and while he did not return as the Vikings earned a 23-17 win over the San Francisco 49ers, it doesn’t appear to be anything too serious.

“Not overly concerned,” Jefferson said. “Just a little thigh bruise.”

That fact that Jefferson talked to reporters postgame and was his usual jovial self seemed like a good sign. It also seemed like a good sign that head coach Kevin O’Connell had a similar tone postgame when asked for an update on Jefferson.

“He’s already up and moving,” O’Connell said. “We will treat that thing, and hopefully he will be day-to-day for us.”

It’s too soon to make any declarations about next week. That said, Jefferson made it sound like that he should be good to go when the Vikings play host to the Houston Texans.

“It’s something that happens a lot during football,” Jefferson said. “Just got to get it feeling well, and I’ll be ready to go next week.

Cashman homecoming

After signing with the Vikings in the spring, Eden Prairie native Blake Cashman had to wait until the fall to play a home game in his home state.

It was worth the wait as Cashman finished with 13 tackles and even recorded a sack while serving as the main communicator for the Vikings on defense.

As good as he looked out there, Cashman isn’t reading too much into his performance.

“It’s important not to get complacent,” Cashman said. “We’ve got to wipe our hands clean and restart and do it all over again next week.”

Reichard goes 3 for 3

After not being asked to attempt a field goal last week in his NFL debut, rookie kicker Will Reichard went 3 for 3 on Sunday afternoon to help the Vikings secure a win over the 49ers. He converted on kicks from 22 yards, 39 yards and 27 yards.

Though he wasn’t really tested from long range, Reichard was consistent nonetheless as each field goal sailed right down the middle.

“It’s beautiful,” safety Josh Metellus said. “Whenever he goes out there we don’t even have to look up. We just know the points are coming, and we should get ready to go to kickoff. I’m excited for him to keep building this season.”

Briefly

As the Vikings were trying to stop the 49ers late in the game, rookie edge rusher Dallas Turner limped toward the sideline with a knee injury. Asked about Turner postgame, O’Connell didn’t have much of an update, saying the Vikings would evaluate him moving forward.

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The road portion of the St. Paul Saints 2024 schedule ended in disappointing fashion.

St. Paul lost 5-2 at Columbus on Sunday, the fifth straight loss for the Saints, who end 35-41 away from CHS Field this season. St. Paul hosts Indianapolis for a six-game series starting Tuesday at CHS Field to end the regular season.

Sunday started off well for the Saints as Payton Eeles hit the first pitch of the game for his sixth home run of the season. St. Paul made it 2-0 an inning later as Jair Camargo’s RBI single plated Carson McCusker.

But the Clippers rallied against Saints starter Randy Dobnak (12-7). Johnathan Rodriguez hit his 28th homer of the season for Columbus, a three-run shot in the fourth inning off Dobnak. Dobnak allowed three runs on two hits and three walks in 5 2/3 innings. He had four strikeouts.

Columbus then scored a pair of runs off reliever Giovanny Gallegos in the seventh on a two-run single by Myles Straw.

The Saints managed just five hits, two from Camargo in the loss. Eeles’ homer was the lone extra-base hit.

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Though it wasn’t necessarily a surprise to anybody in the locker room on Sunday afternoon at U.S. Bank Stadium, the fact that the Vikings earned a 23-17 win over the San Francisco 49ers was a shocker to a lot of people.

There were a number of standouts for the Vikings, including veteran quarterback Sam Darnold on offense, hometown linebacker Blake Cashman on defense and rookie kicker Will Reichard on special teams. The full list of contributors for the Vikings is much more expansive when breaking down the game as a whole.

Here are five takeaways from the Vikings’ win over the 49ers:

1. The duality of Sam Darnold was on display

In the shadow of his own goal post, Darnold launched a pass into double coverage and somehow connected with Justin Jefferson deep downfield. It went for a 97-yard touchdown as Jefferson weaved his way through the open field before finishing in the end zone. The arm strength that Darnold showcased on that particular throw was incredible. It was on display late in the game, as well, when he delivered a perfect ball to speedy receiver Jalen Nailor down the seam. That part of his game is undeniable. That said, Darnold also threw a costly interception to 49ers star linebacker Fred Warner that kept things interesting. Asked about that decision postgame, Darnold admitted he probably should’ve been more careful with the ball.

2. Kevin O’Connell stayed aggressive

After watching Darnold throw an interception at a key moment, head coach Kevin O’Connell went right back to him shortly before halftime. That’s a testament to the trust that O’Connell has in Darnold, regardless of circumstance. Fittingly, Darnold rewarded O’Connell for his faith, leading the Vikings into field-goal range. The drive was impressive as Darnold made a couple of nice throws and capped it off with an 18-yard scramble to put Will Reichard in good position for a field goal.

3. This defense for the Vikings is legit

There were thoughts that the Vikings might have the talent to be a top 10 defense heading into this season. Maybe that was an undersell. Never mind that it’s still a pretty small sample size. It sure looks like defensive coordinator Brian Flores has a very good group on his hands. The splash plays spoke for themselves.  Whether it was edge rusher Andrew Van Ginkel and safety Harrison Smith combining for a big stop at the goal line, safety Josh Metellus coming up with an important interception, or the constant pressure being applied to 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy, the Vikings got exactly what they needed from the defense.

4. Justin Jefferson is good and so is Jalen Nailor

With Jordan Addison out with an ankle injury, Jefferson and Nailor were the primary pass catchers for the Vikings. Both played extremely important roles. The biggest play from Jefferson was the 97-yard TD. The biggest play from Nailor was a 26-yard reception down the seam that helped put the game on ice. Whenever the Vikings get fully healthy, they are going to be hard to defend with Jefferson, Addison and Nailor lining up across the formation. Plus, star tight end T.J. Hockenson is also going to get healthy at some point, and that adds another weapon.

5. C.J. Ham got things started on special teams

In need of a splash play early, the Vikings got it from veteran fullback C.J. Ham. Maybe the most respected player in the locker room, Ham busted through the trenches and blocked a punt that was recovered by safety Jay Ward. It was redemption for Ham this weekend after an uncharacteristic fumble by him last weekend.

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