2024 3M Open scores, takeaways: Taylor Pendrith leads with Sam Burns, Sahith Theegala in the mix

The Canadian surged during the difficult afternoon conditions at TPC Twin Cities

By Patrick McDonald Jul 26, 2024 at 7:40 pm ET• 4 min read

Consistent winds ranging from 10 to 15 mph posed problems for players at TPC Twin Cities on Friday. While many were affected, Taylor Pendrith was not as the Canadian maneuvered around the par-71 layout without dropping a shot en route to the top spot on the leaderboard. Adding seven birdies along the way, Pendrith stands at 12 under and two clear of Matt NeSmith heading into the weekend at the 2024 3M Open.

Pendrith's effort on Friday counted for his second straight bogey-free round at TPC Twin Cities as he remains the only man in the field yet to put a square on his scorecard this week. Lapping the afternoon wave when the golf course played more than 0.25 strokes over par, Pendrith leaned on his trusty putter and connected on birdie bids from 60 feet, 17 feet and 32 feet before ultimately signing for his 64.

"I've been hitting the ball really solidly, been hitting a lot of greens," Pendrith said. "Today was pretty tricky with the wind, it was blowing pretty hard at times, so my speed was great all day and stayed really patient. I didn't really have many good looks through the first hour of golf and was able to stay patient and make a couple, made a couple longer ones, which was nice. Yeah, played really solid, drove the ball well and hit a lot of greens."

With a victory on Sunday, Pendrith would become just the fifth player this season to nab multiple wins and join Scottie Scheffler, Xander Schauffele, Rory McIlroy and Robert MacIntyre in doing so. He would push his name inside the top 15 in the FedEx Cup standings and all but secure his first trip to Atlanta where major championship exemptions and added bonuses await. He would also likely secure a spot on the International Presidents Cup team through either qualification or captain's selection should a trophy fall into his hands.