LA QUINTA (Cali). Davis Thompson, like most rookies, doesn’t know all there is about the PGA Tour. Thompson didn’t know he had set a tour record by having five eagles in his first two rounds at The American Express.
“That’s quite cool. Thompson said, “I didn’t know.” Thompson followed a round of two-eagles on Thursday with three eagles on Friday at PGA West’s Nicklaus Tournament Course. After Thompson’s third eagle, he said that he thought about it a bit. These are always nice. You can get two for the price of one. It’s quite cool to see some putts fall and make some eagles.
Thompson’s impressive debut in the desert tournament saw him tie the tournament record and PGA Tour record of eagles in just two rounds. This propelled Thompson to an astonishing 18-under total, and the lead for the second consecutive day. The record for 72 holes set by Thompson’s five eagles was also tied six times before, the last being achieved by Justin Rose at 2022 RBC Canadian Open.
AMEX Saturday tee times
Thompson’s 8-under 64 Friday and his 124 total for the two rounds on Friday were fireworks, but the rookie hasn’t been able shake the world No. 4 Jon Rahm.
Rahm shot 64 on Friday at the Nicklaus Course, but he didn’t make a single eagle. He also reached 16-under 126 in a tournament that he won in 2018. Rahm finished the year at 15-under after the Nicklaus Course and La Quinta rounds. He was on his way to a playoff win over Andrew Landry.
Rahm said that Thompson’s play was impressive with five eagles in two rounds on two courses. “Now, I wouldn’t expect it to continue for the weekend because the Stadium Course par-5s are, well that would be some serious feat to do 10 eagles over four rounds. It’s fun to play.
Former world No. Former world No. 1 Jason Day is looking to secure his second top-10 finish in the 2022-23 season. He had only two previous seasons. Poston. Poston held the lead Friday at 13 over, but played the Stadium Course’s last six holes in even par for his 66. Kim shot a 62 on Nicklaus Course, with eight birdies, and one eagle. Duncan shot 67 and Im shot 66 at the Stadium Course.
Five consecutive rounds of the PGA Tour saw five eagles. This was in 1995 American Express. Scott McCarron, who had four eagles one round and one the following day. On Friday, the Nicklaus Course had 13 eagles.
Thompson started slow after a round at La Quinta Country Club’s 10-under 62 on Thursday. He even had a 20-foot putt on the par-5 11, his second hole of day. Thompson finished the nine remaining holes at 1-over par, with two bogeys.
“After No. “After No. 2, I just told my self to stay patient, just keep giving myself looks, and then I got onto a run,” Thompson said. Thompson played college golf at Georgia and was ranked in the top-10 of his career with 12 of 19 PGA Tour starts.
Thompson finished 7 under on the five remaining holes. This included a 15-foot putt on the par-5 4th hole and a 20-foot putt on hole 7 after Thompson said that he had used a 6-iron to get into the green.
Thompson stated that while Thompson might have expected back-to-back Eagles on Thursday at La Quinta Country Club (which was not surprising), Thompson indicated that three Eagles on Friday were always possible.
Keep going down
Thompson stated, “I have been watching this tournament for a few years now and I always see the losing score being so low.” You don’t really have any choice. You just have to keep hitting greens, giving yourself looks, and trying to make putts. These were my first two days and I made quite a few putts.
Thompson said that while the Nicklaus Course requires less accuracy in driving, it is more demanding than La Quinta’s. However, La Quinta’s greens are smaller and require better iron shots.
Rahm said that his 64 Friday game was similar to his 64 Thursday. This is good, but not as good than he can play with just one exception.
Rahm stated, “I’ll give the same answer as yesterday except for my wedge game.” It was the most satisfying shot I have ever seen. It was a shot at a distance of 100 yards that felt good. I took it multiple times. It was on, let’s just say, 10. It was probably on 13, 14, 15, 15. It was close on 1, and on 5. Six shots were taken that were within eight feet of each other, with three being absolute tap-ins.
Rahm stated that the weekend is just about trying to keep scoring with consecutive rounds at the Stadium Course. It is the hardest of the three courses in The American Express’ rotation.
Rahm stated, “Stadium I recall that year (his 2018 win) was a bit more difficult.” Rahm said, “I think I shot just or 1-under in that third round and barely lost any distance. I’m pretty certain that if I do that tomorrow, I will lose some of my ground. We just have to keep going. With so many talented players on the PGA Tour, it’s important to show up for the weekend and play low.
Day, one of four players who are tied for third on Saturday, will be moving to La Quinta Country Club after a strong 64 on Friday’s Stadium Course. Day spends his winter time at Indian Wells’ The Vintage Club, working on his game. He said that he doesn’t expect much from La Quinta.
Day stated, “Like everybody’s saying, it’s impossible to get ahead of oneself.” You can’t think about it too much and you’ll be able to just go out and have an ordinary day if that happens. “I tried to stay focused and take everything as it came.”
Thompson stated that he is looking forward to spending a weekend at the Stadium Course.
Thompson stated that he played most of the holes Tuesday in a practice round. Thompson said, “So I got a good feeling. It will be great to have played two courses in succession and prepare for the next course over the next two days.
Eagles have landed
Since 1983, seven golfers have made five eagles during a four-round tournament on the PGA Tour:
2023: Davis Thompson – American Express
2022:Justin Rose – Canadian Open
2020: Dustin Johnson FedEx St. Jude Championship
2019:Austin Cook & Barbasol Championship
2018: Keegan Bradley, Canadian Open
2018: Brandt Snedeker, Canadian Open
1994:Davis Love III. Sony Open
