Nick Hardy hit one of the best shots of the season during the opening round of the 3M Open.
After making the turn with a 3-under 33 at TPC Twin Cities in Blaine, Minnesota, Hardy made three more birdies and a bogey on his back nine — the course’s front nine — to play his first 17 holes 5 under.
On the 500-yard, par-4 ninth, his 18th of the day, Hardy hit a wayward tee shot that found the righthand rough. His ball came to rest just behind a tree, leaving him a near-impossible shot into the green.
However, Hardy was able to get a full swing on it and hit an incredible shot. Once his ball hit the green, it finished 11 feet from the hole.
The bad part, however, was Hardy broke his club when it hit the tree he was struck behind. Luckily, it was his final hole of the day Thursday.
Take a bow, @NickHardy8 🤯
A ridiculous escape ending up with a broken club @3MOpen. pic.twitter.com/dNjrE188oq
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) July 27, 2023
“When I hit it I knew it was going to be pretty good because I caught it perfect and I knew it felt like it was going to hook a little bit,” Hardy told the media after his round. “I almost feel like I didn’t even have to look after that because I was just worried about carrying the water. Once I hit it, I was like ‘OK, it’s going to be pretty good.’”
Hardy converted the birdie putt and signed for a first-round 6-under 65. He’s one shot behind morning leader Hideki Matsuyama, who fired a 7-under 66.
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