This story is as old as the American Express PGA Tour event, which was held 64 years ago.
Someone visits La Quinta Country Club, tears apart the front nine and hits a wall on their back nine. Rounds that seemed destined for 59 suddenly become solid, but somehow disappointing rounds at the low 60s.
This story was repeated Thursday with Davis Thompson starring. The front nine at La Quinta was a stunning 8-under 28, with back to back eagles at the fifth hole and sixth, respectively. It was followed by a 2-under 34 on La Quinta’s tougher back nine. Thompson was left wanting more after Thompson’s 10-under 62.
Thompson, 23, said that it was difficult to stay present and keep one foot ahead of the other after spending 2021-22 on Korn Ferry Tour. Your mind can wander a bit. But I’ve played enough rounds to learn that I can’t get ahead.
Sam Burns looked on the verge to catch Thompson for most of the afternoon. He shot 7 under through nine holes at the Pete Dye Stadium Course at PGA West. Burns was able to cool down on the final nine holes and bogeyed the 18th for 64. Burns was tied for second with Jon Rahm, Tyler Duncan, Matti Schmid and Taylor Montgomery.
Nine players finished at 65 including the Southern California PGA Section representative and PGA of America player of year Michael Block and the world No. 6 Xander Schauffele.
Thompson’s score of 62 at La Quinta was not uncommon for the low-scoring American Express. Lee Hodges and Patrick Cantlay shot 62 at La Quinta last year. Phil Mickelson was able to score a 60 in round one of 2019. Rahm shot 62 at La Quinta Country Club in the first round of the 2018 event, which he won.
Thompson’s round was surprising because he had never played this course in competition. He did learn a lot about desert layouts though before he arrived at La Quinta.
“I was able come out here early, before I went to Hawaii (the Sony Open), and played out here at the Nicklaus Course. Thompson played in eight PGA Tour events between 2020-21 and three more in 2021-22. “But just got off on a hot start, and just kind of coasted my way in. It’s always nice to see putts go in quickly and it gives you the confidence to keep going.
La Quinta offers a quick start
Thompson birdied three out of the four first holes at La Quinta, before hitting the scoring holes on the fifth and sixth holes. These are consecutive par-5s that all PGA Tour pros can reach. Thompson putted a 12-foot putt on the fifth hole for an eagle, but missed the green in two on his sixth hole. He then chipped in from 60 yards for his second consecutive par-5 to score 7 under through six holes.
“I had good scores on both of those holes. Thompson stated that Thompson actually missed the green at 6 and chipped in. I put two good swings and had a nice chip and putt.
Thompson made one more birdie at the ninth hole on the front nine, and then made birdies at the 13th und 18th holes on his back nine to complete the 62.
Rahm is ranked fourth in the world, and he just won the Sentry Tournament of Champions. He opened with five birdies, including two on the par-5s, on his front nine. After bogeying the 10th hole, he added three more birdies. He reached 64 after a birdie at 17 on a course that he knows he must play well.
Rahm stated after the round, “Give me enough to think about many things.” It’s a good start to the tournament. It’s impossible to win the tournament on this course of golf, but it is possible to fall off the pace. It was a solid start to the round, and it was great putting. I hope that I can maintain this pace throughout the week and feel a bit more comfortable on the green.
Rahm was one of the five top seven players worldwide in this week’s desert tournament. All of them fought for contention. Schauffele tied for sixth with his 66 at La Quinta. Scottie Scheffler, Patrick Cantlay and Will Zalatoris each shot 68. All 123 of the 156 pros broke par 72.
Rahm says he plays golf as much as anyone else in the world.
“Very confident. It showed it out there. I wasn’t at my best. I wasn’t able to find myself on the fairway as often as I wanted, but I was able get birdies. Rahm stated that that is the beauty of it all. “It’s almost impossible to beat me, I mean. If I don’t have my A-game and shoot rounds like these, it should be a good year.”
