Rico Hoey put himself firmly in the hunt after opening with a four-under-par 67 in the first round of the 3M Open on Thursday at TPC Twin Cities in Blaine, Minnesota.

The Filipino campaigner mixed five birdies with just one bogey to finish tied for 14th, five shots behind leader Ben Kohles and well within striking distance heading into the second round.

Kohles produced the round of his career, eagling the par-5 18th for a bogey-free 9-under 62 to take a two-shot lead. His approach from 241 yards finished four feet from the cup, setting up the closing eagle.

“I was just in control all day,” Kohles said.

The 36-year-old bounced back in style after suffering a heartbreaking finish at the John Deere Classic three weeks ago, where a double bogey on the final hole dropped him from title contention to third place.

Emiliano Grillo, Jackson Koivun and Gary Woodland share second place after carding 64s.

World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler, making his first appearance at the 3M Open after finishing fourth at last week’s British Open, opened with a six-under 65 to sit just three shots off the lead.

Scheffler recovered from a slow start by birdieing five of his final eight holes.

“I didn’t hit a bunch of fairways early, but I managed my way around without making any bogeys,” Scheffler said. “Once I started hitting fairways and giving myself some looks, I was able to make some birdies.”

Koivun, who turned professional in June after a record-setting collegiate career at Auburn, matched his career-low round with a bogey-free 64, while Grillo briefly reached eight-under before settling for a share of second after a late bogey.

“Any day beating Scottie Scheffler is a good day, so I’ll take that,” Grillo said.

Defending champion Kurt Kitayama opened with a 68.

For Hoey, the opening-round 67 continues his solid form on the PGA Tour and keeps him in position to challenge for a strong finish with three rounds still to play.