26 July 2024
Many wondered following his stellar showing at The Open — in which he finished in a tie for second — if Billy Horschel would withdraw from the 3M Open.
He insisted otherwise, noting he likes to carry momentum forward and continue to play when he’s playing well. Sure enough, Horschel was on the driving range early Tuesday in Blaine, prepping for another week of action.
Horschel was asked on Wednesday if he considered withdrawing from Minnesota’s PGA Tour stop this week. The answer was a resounding, “No.”
“When I commit to something I try to hold to that commitment unless crazy circumstances arise,” Horschel said.
Well, crazy hit Thursday morning in the form of illness, and Horschel withdrew well in advance of his afternoon tee time.
“Yeah, it was unfortunate. I wasn’t feeling great late last night and took some medicine. Woke up, had decent sleep but woke up and just have a fever, body is just not wanting to respond, every muscle feels like it’s locked up. Tried to do a little warmup in the gym, just didn’t respond. Tried to go out to the golf course and hit some balls, body’s just not wanting to cooperate,” Horschel said.
“Disappointing. I was looking forward to playing here at 3M. Played here last year, had a good finish.” Horschel added. “The event is well run by 3M and Tracy and Hollis, so very disappointed not to be able to play here after coming off a really great finish last week.”
Bridgeman leads
Jacob Bridgeman leads the 3M Open after the first round following his 8-under round of 63 carded Thursday.
Bridgeman is a PGA Tour rookie who reached the tour after qualifying via the Korn Ferry Tour last season. He entered this week in 135th in the FedExCup standings, but leads Mackenzie Hughes by a shot after tallying nine birdies Thursday.
The 24 year old missed the cut in each of his previous three starts.
Capan update
North Oaks’ native Frankie Capan III turned down a sponsor’s exemption to the 3M Open to gather more Korn Ferry Tour points this week.
So far, so good. Capan is in a tie for 23rd after firing a 5-under round of 66 at the NV5 Invitational in Glenview, Ill.
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