Lee Hodges closed with an 8-under 63 in the first round of the 3M Open to take a one-shot lead.
“I thought me and my caddie did a really good job today of picking targets and picking the clubs that we wanted. Really committed to every shot out there, hit a lot of really good ones.
“I would say it’s a ball-striker’s course, like getting in the fairways and hitting it on the greens. It’s soft out there so you can really attack, like there was a ton of pitch marks right around the holes today because guys were really throwing it at the flag. It should firm up, I would imagine, but yeah, the whole golf course is a ball-striker’s course. And I think I hit it pretty nice, so I’ll take my chances around here.”
The American was one short of his lowest round on Tour, marking his 10th bogey-free round this season. He has now recorded 22 bogey-free rounds on Tour in 199. In 29 starts this season he has finished in the top-10 twice but has missed the cut in his last four starts. He is currently 74th in the FedExCup standings and the top 70 will make the Playoffs that begin in two weeks.
“I’ve been getting off to some poor starts, which I wish I knew why, I’d fix it if I knew. Today was great. To see that wedge shot go to an inch on the first hole and then make that 40-footer on the second hole, I was like, all right, here we go, might as well make a lot of birdies if we’re gonna make a couple.”
Hideki Matsuyama of Japan closed with a 64 for a share of second place alongside Americans Brandt Snedeker, Tyler Duncan and Kevin Streelman who made a bogey and an eagle at the par-5 18th.
Due to inclement weather, the first round was suspended at 6:59 p.m with 21 players yet to complete their round. The first round will resume at 8 a.m. Friday. The second round will begin as scheduled at 6:45 a.m.
