In Blaine, Minnesota, Taylor Pendrith surged to the top of the leaderboard at the 3M Open, carding a remarkable 7-under 64 on Friday. Pendrith’s stellar performance gave him a two-stroke advantage over Matt NeSmith heading into the weekend. Despite challenging afternoon winds, Pendrith remained flawless through the first 36 holes, showcasing his skill with a 30-foot birdie putt on the 16th hole and another birdie on the 18th.
The Canadian golfer, aged 33, clinched his maiden PGA Tour title at the CJ Cup Byron Nelson in May and continued his strong form by finishing fifth in the Barracuda Championship last week. Reflecting on his impressive round, Pendrith emphasized the importance of patience in tough conditions, crediting his ability to stay calm and capitalize on key opportunities.
NeSmith, who posted a solid 64 in the morning, faced more challenging winds later in the day. The golfer, still in search of his first PGA Tour win, highlighted the significance of patience in navigating the intricacies of the tournament and maintaining composure amidst uncertainties in golf.
Meanwhile, Jacob Bridgeman, the first-round leader, dropped back to 9 under par after carding a 70, with Andrew Putnam also at the same score following his round of 66. A cluster of players, including Doug Ghim, Lanto Griffin, Alex Smalley, and Jhonattan Vegas, trailed closely at 8 under par, showcasing the competitive nature of the tournament.
As the 3M Open serves as the penultimate event before the FedEx Cup playoffs, the pressure is mounting for players on the edge of the 70-player cutoff. Notable names like Nick Dunlap, Luke List, and defending champion Lee Hodges failed to advance to the weekend, underlining the stakes at play in the tournament.
With the competition heating up and players vying for crucial points in the FedEx Cup standings, the stage is set for an exciting conclusion at the 3M Open as golfers look to solidify their positions before the playoffs commence.
