Taylor Pendrith battles wind, shoots 64 for 2-stroke lead at 3M Open

BLAINE, Minn. — Taylor Pendrith shot a 7-under 64 on Friday to take a two-stroke lead over Matt NeSmith into the 3M Open weekend.

Playing in windy afternoon conditions, Pendrith made a 30-foot birdie putt on the par-4 16th and added another on the par-5 18th for a 12-under 130 total at the TPC Twin Cities, going through the first 36 holes without a bogey.

The 33-year-old Canadian won the CJ Cup Byron Nelson in Texas in May for his first PGA Tour title. Last week he finished fifth at the Barracuda Championship in California.

NeSmith had a 64 mph wind in the morning, but gusts of over 20 mph hit the track in the afternoon and early evening.

Seeking his first PGA Tour victory, NeSmith lost in a playoff two weeks ago at the ISCO Championship in Kentucky, his only top-10 finish in 20 previous starts this season. He has missed 11 cuts.

First-round leader Jacob Bridgeman shot a 70 and was three strokes back at 9 under, facing Andrew Putnam (66). Doug Ghim (64), Lanto Griffin (66), Alex Smalley (65) and Jhonattan Vegas (66) were at 8 under.

The event is the penultimate tournament before the FedEx Cup playoffs begin, with some players close to the 70-player cutoff failing to advance to the weekend. Nick Dunlap (64th in the rankings), Luke List (71st) and reigning champion Lee Hodges (73rd) missed the cut.