LA QUINTA (Cali). Patrick Cantlay, a Southern California golfer, played his college golf at UCLA. Perhaps that’s why he has figured out the Coachella Valley American Express PGA Tour event.
Cantlay stated, “I love playing California golf so I played a lot over the years here at the desert.” “La Quinta Country Club is a great course for golf.
After Friday’s 6-under-66, Cantlay is trying to maintain a streak of being in contention for The American Express for 14 consecutive rounds. Cantlay moved within the top 10 of the leaderboard, which places him in position not only for his first win in The American Express but also his third consecutive top-10 finish.
Cantlay finished second in the 2021 tournament, behind Si Woo Kim. This was partly due to Cantlay’s tournament course record score of 61 at the Pete Dye Stadium Course. Cantlay finished ninth in 2022 but opened at La Quinta Country Club with a score of 62.
It’s target golf week, obviously. Cantlay stated that starting the year off with great weather and not much wind on a course that’s primarily target golf is a great way to get started. “I have enjoyed the past few years here, and I’m just glad to be here beginning the year on the West Coast,” Cantlay said.
Cantlay claimed that he didn’t play any junior golf in Coachella Valley. However, he does recall playing important rounds at PGA West La Quinta where The American Express is played.
He said, “I think I played Q-School here in 2012.” “That may have been my first time playing these two golf courses.”
Strangely, Cantlay’s 10 rounds of competitive play includes rounds of 72 and 71 in 2021, respectively, which are the rounds that can kill a player’s chances of winning in the desert. He also has the rounds of 61, 62 and 70 to make up the extra rounds.
Game respects other game
Professional golfers are better than any other professional athlete at recognizing the skill and focus they have.
The Coachella Valley Firebirds were among the approximately eight to ten people who attended the opening round of American Express. They then headed to La Quinta Country club to see the big names.
“This is my first PGA Tour tournament and it’s quite unreal to see these guys up close,” stated Ian McKinnon, Firebirds center. “I am a huge Rickie Fowler enthusiast, so I followed him around for a while. It’s amazing out there. It was a wonderful day.
To name a few, the swarm of Firebirds included Joey Daccord and Jesper Froden.
Hughes stated, “It was fun to see their composure.” “Hockey is obviously a fast-paced and hectic sport. The guys are just calm, and then they only have five seconds to do it perfectly. It’s amazing to see what they can accomplish.”
The Pacific Division’s leading team is the Firebirds (25-3-3-1) and they are tied for the best overall record in the AHL. They will be playing the Ontario Reign on Saturday.
Are you a hometown player?
Laura Baugh, like many LPGA players in the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s, had connections with the desert through the Dinah Shore LPGA major championship. She also had a home at Coachella Valley. Eric Cole, a PGA Tour golfer, also has strong connections to the desert. Cole, a 34-year-old rookie on the PGA Tour, is Baugh’s son.
Cole, who was born and raised in Palm Springs, said that Cole’s mom actually comes from out here. It is familiar to me. It gave me a positive feeling.”
Cole opened The American Express on Thursday with a 65 at La Quinta Country Club. His mother was there to support him at La Quinta during the first round.
Although he had never played in the desert’s PGA Tour event, he stated that he did so to enjoy the courses and to prepare for the Sony Open in Hawaii. Cole won the PGA Tour through Korn Ferry Tour after finishing fifth on the tour’s last year.
Ridings’ crazy round
It’s time to recall one of the most bizarre rounds in tournament history, despite all the talk about Davis Thompson and eagles in The American Express this week. It was 2005 at Tamarisk Country Club when Tag Ridings, a journeyman, did something that no one else on Tour had done.
Ridings not only had two eagles at Tamarisk Country Club’s back nine, but also added a second eagle to the back nine. It was 7 under for the three holes. Riding shot a remarkable 66, which meant that he only played 15 holes at Tamarisk.
Cross the street
After shooting a 68 at the Nicklaus Course, PGA West, Xander Schauffele wanted to practice on the driving range at PGA West. He couldn’t make it to the range as preparations for the Gwen Stefani concert were ongoing. Schauffele and his assistant then moved across the street towards the Palmer Course at PGA West.
