3M Open Day 1: Kohles Catches Fire, Scheffler Makes His Presence Felt

Thursday's opening round at TPC Twin Cities delivered exactly the kind of low scoring the 3M Open is known for, and Ben Kohles made sure his name was at the top of the leaderboard by day's end. The 36-year-old, who has bounced between the PGA Tour and Korn Ferry Tour this season, closed with an eagle on the par-5 18th to card a career-best 62. His approach from 241 yards settled just four feet from the cup, setting up a short putt that capped off a bogey-free stretch where he birdied every other hole from No. 6 through No. 14, then added one more at 15 for good measure.

Scottie Scheffler wasn't far behind, and his presence alone changed the energy at TPC Twin Cities. Making his first start in the event and coming off a fourth-place finish at the British Open, the world's top-ranked player opened a bit shaky, going 1-under through his first eight holes before finding his rhythm. He birdied five of his next eight to post a 65, good enough to sit three shots back of Kohles. Scheffler credited better ball-striking for the surge, saying that once he started hitting more fairways, the birdie chances followed.

They weren't the only ones taking advantage of a golf course that traditionally yields low numbers. Jackson Koivun, just 21 and only three professional starts into his career after turning pro in June, posted a bogey-free 64, the lowest round of his career. Emiliano Grillo and Gary Woodland matched that number too, with Grillo needling that beating Scheffler on any given day is a good day regardless of what else happens. Defending champion Kurt Kitayama got his title defense off to a respectable start with a 68.

With the tournament's history of low winning scores (the average over the past seven years sits around 19 under) Thursday's round set the tone for a leaderboard that's likely to stay bunched and aggressive all weekend. For anyone who made it out to TPC Twin Cities, the gallery above captures the shots, the reactions, and the atmosphere that made day one worth watching in person.