July 23 (UPI) -- Richy Werenski made a short birdie putt on his final hole for an 8-under 63 to take a one-shot lead in Thursday's opening round of the 3M Open at TPC Twin Cities in Blaine, Minn.
The 24-year-old Werenski, who is winless on the PGA Tour, broke a tie with Michael Thompson after his ninth and final birdie on hole No. 18. He recorded a bogey on the par-5 third but otherwise took advantage of the soft greens.
"I have a good feeling they'll get nice and firm as the week goes on, but you start it online, it will stay there. They're really good," Werenski said. "... To play a round like I did today, you've got to make the putts, but ... I feel like my irons have really been coming along."
Thompson, who enjoyed a bogey-free round, finished one shot back of Werenski due in large part to the accuracy of his putting. Thompson entered the week in 151st place in the FedEx Cup standings.
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"It's really just being diligent about playing my own game," Thompson said. "I'm not the longest hitter out here. I'm a really good putter, so I'm going to rely on that."
Defending champion Matthew Wolff, Tony Finau, Nick Watney, Ryan Moore and Xin-Jun Zhang were among those tied for third at 6-under 65. There was a 10-way tie behind them at 5-under par.
Bubba Watson was among the group tied for 20th at 4-under par, while Brooks Koepka opened with a 1-under 70.
Meanwhile, Dustin Johnson -- the fourth-ranked player in the world -- withdrew from the tournament because of a back injury after his opening-round 78.
Johnson, who won the Travelers Championship last month, posted back-to-back 80s last week at the Memorial Tournament for the highest 36-hole score of his pro career.
"Kind of the same last week," he said. "I just struggled with my iron play, and that makes it difficult."
