Jacob Bridgeman shot an eight-under 63 in the first round of the 3M Open to take a one-stroke lead, while Open Championship runner-up Billy Horschel withdrew with an illness.
Bridgeman, who has missed the cut in his last three PGA Tour events, had nine birdies and one bogey in Minnesota, and benefited from a chip from a bunker on the 17th hole.
The 24-year-old, whose best finish this season was a T-14th at the RBC Canadian Open in June, is one shot ahead of MacKenzie Hughes, while Patrick Rogers, Andrew Novak and Martin Trainor are a stroke back at six-under at TPC Twin Cities.
World No. 11 Sahit Tigala, the highest-ranked player in the event, finished the round flawlessly to finish at 5-under.
Horschel, who rose to world number 33 after a strong performance at Royal Troon last week, withdrew ahead of the first round, saying: “I was feeling under the weather late last night and took some medication.
Open Championship runner-up Billy Horschel has withdrawn from the 3M Open due to illness.
“I had a good night's sleep, but I woke up with a fever. My body wasn't responding, and all my muscles felt locked up. I tried to do a little warm-up at the gym, but I wasn't responding.
“I went to the golf course and tried to hit the ball, but my body just wouldn't cooperate. It's disappointing. I was looking forward to playing at 3M.
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“The event was well run, but after such a great performance last week, it's very disappointing that we won't be able to play here.”
Watch the PGA Tour 3M Open Round 2 live. Sky Sports Golf From 7pm on Friday.
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