Jacob Bridgeman carded an 8-under 63 at TPC Twin Cities on Thursday, claiming the lead in the first round of the 3M Open with a one-stroke advantage over Mackenzie Hughes.
Bridgeman, who recorded his lowest score in 23 PGA Tour events, birdied five of his final seven holes. He achieved birdies on the par-3 17th by holing out from a bunker and on the par-5 18th with a two-putt. The 24-year-old former Clemson player had missed the cut in his last three tournaments.
“I never had struggles with my confidence until these last few weeks,” Bridgeman said. “I told a couple people I felt like I’ve been kicked in the face.”
After a fishing trip on Sunday, a day off on Monday, a few practice swings late Tuesday, and a Wednesday pro-am, Bridgeman also consulted with his girlfriend, parents, and college coach. His coach reminded him of his mental game strength, which had previously helped him during college.
Mackenzie Hughes, who recorded a bogey-free round, is in second place. The Canadian won his second PGA Tour title last year at the Sanderson Farms Championship. Hughes noted, “I knew in the first kind of three or four holes that I had something nice going with the putter. At that point it was just a matter of making sure I gave myself as many looks as possible and got the ball on the green and let the putter do the work. You don’t get those days super often when the hole starts looking pretty big.”
Patrick Rodgers, Martin Trainer, and Andrew Novak are tied for third, two shots behind Bridgeman. Novak, currently No. 84 in the FedExCup standings, needs strong performances in the final two events to make the playoffs. Novak was 6 under on the back nine and remarked, “Bottom line, I have two events left until the playoffs. So despite me playing well, that doesn’t really matter, I need to go play better.”
Sahith Theegala, Gary Woodland, Kevin Streelman, Taylor Pendrith, Stewart Cink, Michael Thorbjornsen, Kurt Kitayama, and Hayden Springer all shot 66. Tony Finau, the 2022 champion, finished with a 67.
Nick Dunlap shot 71, a week after winning the Barracuda Championship and becoming the first player to win a tour event as both an amateur and a professional in the same season.
Defending champion Lee Hodges, aiming for a playoff spot, shot a 73. Hodges entered the tournament ranked 71st and has not finished in the top 10 since his win last year.
Thriston Lawrence, who finished fourth at the British Open, posted a 75.
