"First-Round 63 Puts Jacob Bridgeman in the Lead at 3M Open"
Newcomer Jacob Bridgeman recorded a personal best 8-under 63 to secure a one-stroke advantage following the opening round of the 3M Open on Thursday in Blaine, Minn.
The 24-year-old Bridgeman tallied nine birdies, including three consecutive on Nos. 12-14 at TPC Twin Cities to take his first lead on the PGA Tour.
The former Clemson player registered one bogey (on the par-4 ninth hole) but bounced back with birdies on his final two holes to finish one shot ahead of Canada\'s Mackenzie Hughes (64).
\"I made a couple of putts that were probably unexpected, but I also hit the ball really well,\" Bridgeman said. \"My driver was on point and overall it was a solid round. I only had one bad swing that led to a bogey on 9, but other than that, I feel confident that I can continue to play well tomorrow.\"
Hughes notched seven birdies to finish one stroke ahead of Patrick Rodgers, Andrew Novak, and France\'s Martin Trainer.
\"It was a fantastic day,\" said Hughes, who recorded his best opening-round score since a 63 at the 2021 RSM Classic. \"I felt like I was a little off with my swing early on, but I managed to make a nice up-and-down to keep my round going. Around the seventh or eighth hole, I found my rhythm and started hitting the ball better. My putter was also working well today. It was a fun day on the greens.\"
Sahith Theegala, the highest-ranked player in the FedEx Cup standings at No. 7 and world rankings at No. 11, and seven others shot a first-round 66 and are three shots off the lead.
\"It\'s like a redemption week for me. I wanted to come back and see how I could perform on a course that has given me a tough time over the past three years,\" said Theegala, who carded a bogey-free round after missing the cut in his previous three 3M Open starts (2020, 2022, and 2023).
Tony Finau (67), the 2022 3M Open champion, is part of a large group four shots behind the leader.
Nick Dunlap, who made history last week by becoming the first player to win a PGA Tour event as an amateur and a professional in the same season at the Barracuda Championship, finished with an even-par 71.
