Jacob Bridgeman shoots 1-under-par 63 at TPC Twin Cities to take 3M Open lead
BLAINE, Minnesota — Jacob Bridgeman birdied five of his last seven holes for an 8-under 63 and a one-shot lead over Mackenzie Hughes after the first round of the 3M Open on Thursday.
Patrick Rodgers, Martin Trainer and Andrew Novak were two shots behind at TPC Twin Cities.
Billy Horschel, who had just finished second in the British Open on Sunday after leading 54 holes, withdrew about an hour before his departure due to illness.
Bridgeman posted his lowest score in 23 career PGA Tour events. He birdied the par-3 17th hole from a bunker and two-putted the par-5 18th hole. The 24-year-old former Clemson player has missed the cut in his last three tournaments.
“I never had any confidence issues until the last few weeks,” Bridgeman said. “I’ve told a few people that I feel like I’ve been kicked in the face.”
Bridgeman went fishing Sunday, took Monday off, hit a few balls Tuesday night and played a pro-am Wednesday. He also talked with his girlfriend, his parents and his college coach, the latter of whom reminded him that one of his greatest strengths is his mental game.
“He told me about some of the things we did in college, how we supported each other,” Bridgeman said. “He was always walking alongside me and helping me.”
Hughes was bogey-free. The Canadian won the second of his two PGA Tour titles last year at the Sanderson Farms Championship.
“I knew within the first three or four holes that I had a good idea of what I could do with my putter,” Hughes said. “At that point, it was just a matter of making sure I looked at myself and put the ball on the green and let the putter do the work. It’s not very often you have a day like that where the hole starts to look pretty big.”
Novak, ranked 84th, above the 70-player line for the FedExCup playoffs, was 6 under par over the final nine holes.
“At the end of the day, I have two events left before the playoffs,” Novak said. “So even if I play well, it doesn’t really matter, I have to play better.”
Sahith Theegala shot a 66 with Gary Woodland, Kevin Streelman, Taylor Pendrith, Stewart Cink, Michael Thorbjornsen, Kurt Kitayama and Hayden Springer. Tony Finau, the 2022 champion, shot a 67.
Nick Dunlap shot a 71 a week after winning the Barracuda Championship, becoming the first player to win a Tour event as an amateur and a professional in the same season.
Defending champion Lee Hodges, who is looking to secure a playoff spot, shot a 73. He entered the tournament ranked 71st and has not finished in the top 10 since winning last year.
Thriston Lawrence, fourth in the British Open, shot a 75.
