Keegan Bradley, playing without belly putter for 1st time, opens with 67 at Memorial

Michael Thompson hits his approach shot on the 18th hole during the first round of the Memorial golf tournament Thursday, May 29, 2014, in Dublin, Ohio. (AP Photo/Jay LaPrete) (The Associated Press)

Chris Kirk tees off on the 17th hole during the first round of the Memorial golf tournament Thursday, May 29, 2014, in Dublin, Ohio. (AP Photo/Jay LaPrete) (The Associated Press)

Keegan Bradley shot his lowest round at the Memorial, except the score wasn't what made Thursday so unusual. He did not use a belly putter for the first time in four years.

On the advice of his mother, and after a week practicing at home with Michael Jordan, Bradley went with a more conventional style putter and had a 5-under 67. He was one shot behind the early leaders at Muirfield Village.

Bradley was the first player to use a belly putter to win a major in the 2011 PGA Championship. The anchored stroke will be banned in 2016. He didn't say he would make the switch permanent, though he sure got off to a good start.

Paul Casey, Chris Kirk and Masters champion Bubba Watson were at 66.