3M Open 2021 R1
July 22-25
TPC Twin Cities, Blaine, Minnesota
$6,600,000
Round 2, Round 3, Round 4

Estimated reading time: 8 minutes

Rickie Fowler shot a bogey-free 7-under 64 to set the clubhouse lead after the first round of the 3M Open in Minnesota.

3M Open 2021 R1

Fowler's last win came at the 2019 Phoenix Open and he started the tournament ranked 124th in the FedEx standings, with the top 125 making the playoffs. He has never missed them in eleven seasons on Tour and has two weeks left to make sure he qualifies.

“I know where I'm at, what we need to do and stuff like that. Really just focusing on things we've been working on, playing more consistent good golf. More days like today and things will be fine. Kind of keep things, like I said, simple and small, focus on the day-to-day and this week, and go from there. Everything will work out.”

3M Open 2021 R1

He came T53 in last week's Open Championship at Royal St George's, finishing at 1-over after rounds of 69-72-75 and a final round 65 that gave him some confidence.

“That [his driving] was something that was kind of holding me back from making birdies, moving forward last week. So today, I mean, going off of what we did Sunday last week, just needed to tighten a few things up. This golf course is fairly generous off the tee. There's a few lakes, ponds that you just need to avoid. Other than that, it's go, attack for the most part.”

3M Open 2021 R1

He was joined in the lead by Jhonattan Vegas and local favourite Troy Merritt who fired six birdies in the back nine.

“I've seen this golf course now for about 20 years,” said Merritt. “Came to watch the seniors play when I was in high school and got to play it once or twice. It's just a lot of fun. It's great for the players, it's great for the fans, you can make a lot of birdies, the scoring's usually really low. So, if you like shootouts, this is the golf course for you and you're going to get another one this week.”

3M Open 2021 R1

Vegas closed his round with a birdie in spite of his approach landing on top of a hospitality tent and being given relief.

“You can barely see the flag,” said Vegas. “We had a number, which we messed up the number trying to play fast. I knew it was going to be long. It was a little bit of a nightmare right at the end.”

Play was delayed for over two hours due to lightning in the area and was called on account of darkness with eleven players yet to finish.

Scott Stallings reached the 18th in 63 and could have equalled the course record of 62 but a double bogey saw him finish with a 65 and a share of fourth place alongside Adam Schenk and Roger Sloan.

Dustin Johnson's usual caddie, his brother Austin, tested positive for Covid-19 and was replaced by Keith Sbarbaro, TaylorMade's vice president of tour operations, who has caddied for him a number of times. He opened with a 70 after four birdies and three bogeys.

“Keith's worked for me quite a few times; Presidents Cup, U.S. Open, a few events here and there,” said Johnson. “Yeah, we did just fine. Maybe hit the wrong club on a couple holes, but other than that, that was my fault though, I guess.”

3M Open 2021 R1