A hazy sky and thick air at TPC Twin Cites greeted players for Thursday's opening round of the 3M Open. Those off in the morning wave mostly took advantage of soft conditions from a brief pre-round rain shower. But as noon approached conditions worsened.

Lightning near the course in Blaine associated with scattered incoming thunderstorms halted play at 11:28 a.m.

Play resumed at 1:52 p.m.

Rickie Fowler and Spring Lake Park graduate Troy Merritt were tied for the early lead at -7, followed by Scott Stallings and Adam Schenk at -6.

Stallings, three-time PGA Tour winner, made three birdies in a row on holes 5-7 then rolled in four more on Nos. 10-13 and led the field at 8-under through 17 holes before a bogey on 18.

PGA Tour Live reported on its broadcast that Dustin Johnson, the world's No. 2-ranked player, is without caddie Austin Johnson, his brother, because of a positive COVID-19 test.

Also Thursday, Sangmoon Bae withdrew after completing eight holes in 3-over-par.

3M Open leaderboard