Jacob Bridgeman took a one-shot lead in the first round of the 3M Open after shooting an eight-under-par 63 as Open Championship runner-up Billy Horschel withdrew due to illness.
Bridgeman, who has missed his last three cuts on the PGA Tour, had nine birdies and just one bogey in Minnesota, chipping out of the bunker for a win on his 17th hole.
The 24-year-old, whose best finish this season was a tied for 14th at the RBC Canadian Open in June, has a one-shot lead over Mackenzie Hughes with Patrick Rodgers, Andrew Novak and Martin Trainer a shot back at six under at TPC Twin Cities.
World number 11 Sahith Theegala, the top-ranked player in the event, is in the group on five under after a clean round.
Horschel, ranked 33rd in the world after his fine performance at Royal Troon last week, withdrew before the first round: “I wasn’t feeling very well late last night and took some medication.
Open runner-up Billy Horschel pulls out of 3M Open due to illness
“I slept well, but I woke up with a fever, my body doesn’t want to react, I feel like all the muscles are blocked. I tried to do a little warm-up in the gym, but I didn’t react.
“I tried to get out on the golf course and hit some balls, but my body just won’t cooperate. It’s disappointing. I was looking forward to playing here at 3M.
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“The event is well organised, so I’m very disappointed not to be able to play here after having a very good finish last week.”
Watch the second round of the PGA Tour’s 3M Open live on Sky Sports Golf from 7 p.m. on Friday.
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