'Returned Rapid-Fire' Fowler Leads with 7-Under Par... What About Lee Kyoung-hoon?

3M Open Day 1: Merritt Ties Lead with 7-Under Storm Shots, Oosthuizen at 3-Under, 'Number 2' Johnson Slows at 1-Under

Ricky Fowler is teeing off at the 11th hole on the first day of the 3M Open. Blaine, USA ? Getty Images / Photo by Multibits

[Asia Economy Kim Hyun-jun, Golf Specialist Reporter] 'Rapid-fire' Rickie Fowler has successfully made an early surge after a long time.

On the 23rd (Korean time), at the Twin Cities Golf Club in Blaine, Minnesota, USA (Par 71, 7,431 yards), the first day of the PGA Tour 3M Open (total prize money $6.6 million) saw Fowler shoot 7-under par to take a share of the lead. Troy Merritt joined him at the top, while Scott Stallings (both from the USA) chased from one stroke behind in a tie for 3rd place (6-under par 65). Louis Oosthuizen (South Africa) stood tied for 21st at 3-under par, and world No. 2 Dustin Johnson (USA) was tied for 64th at 1-under par.

Fowler is the player who has led global golf trends with his orange-colored outfit and hip-hop style hat. In January 2016 at the Hyundai Tournament, he drew attention with jogger-style training pants that tightened slightly at the cuffs, and in May at The Players Championship, he caught eyes with golf shoes featuring different colors on each foot. Every shot is played with 'speed play,' adding to his spotlight. He finishes his swing in just 16 seconds with a clean, no-frills motion.

His skills are also exceptional. He has reached five career wins, including the 2015 'fifth major' The Players Championship. It is surprising that he has been winless since the Phoenix Open in February 2019. His iron shots have been shaky, leading to slumps with only two top-10 finishes in the 2020 season and one in 2021. He has been experimenting with wearing sunglasses and changing putters. Fortunately, today he delivered a 'perfect play' by collecting seven birdies.

Fowler opened the scoring early with 'stepping stone birdies' on holes 10 and 12, followed by a birdie on the 15th hole (par 4), and then three consecutive birdies from the 18th to the 2nd hole in the back nine. He relied on his powerful 323-yard drives and a green hit rate of 77.78% with pinpoint iron shots. Above all, his average of 1.57 putts per hole, a 'stingy putting' performance, is his pride. Near the end, he added a birdie on the 6th hole (par 5) with a '3-on 1-putt.' He expressed confidence, saying, "Today, both my iron shots and putting were good."

While some players' rounds were postponed due to bad weather, 'top favorite' Oosthuizen recorded five birdies and two bogeys. He is feeling the pressure after finishing runner-up three times recently: the Zurich Classic in April, the second major PGA Championship in May, and the third major US Open in June. From Korea, Lee Kyoung-hoon (30) is tied for 38th at 2-under par, Kang Sung-hoon (34) is tied for 83rd at even par, and An Byeong-hoon (30, all from CJ Logistics) is 152nd at 7-over par. Bae Sang-moon (35) withdrew.