Rahm Ties Rookie Thompson For AmEx Lead At 23 Under

LA QUINTA, Calif. — Jon Rahm got off to a fast start in The American Express, shooting a 7-under 65 on PGA West’s Stadium Course on Saturday to share the lead with tour rookie Davis Thompson.

Thompson’s eagle streak in the Southern California desert ended as the 23-year-old carded a 67 on the Stadium Course to tie Rahm at 23-under 193. Thompson, who led after two rounds with five eagles, just missed a 35-foot birdie putt on No. 18 that would have given him a one-stroke lead.

Rahm, the world’s fourth-ranked player who won at Kapalua two weeks ago, and Thompson will play in the final group on Sunday on the Stadium Course, which hosted the first three rounds.

J.T. Poston and Christiaan Bezuidenhout were four strokes back after shooting a 10-under 62 on the Nicklaus Tournament Course. At 18 under, Tom Kim, Harry Higgs, Sam Burns, and Taylor Montgomery were another stroke back.

“Nothing but positive,” Rahm said ahead of his ninth tour victory. “Ball-striking felt incredible. Off the tee, you hit a lot of great shots. I’m giving myself a lot of chances with the irons. I took advantage of a number of them. So confident going into tomorrow, knowing that I’ll need to shoot another low score to have a chance to win.”

Rahm Just Two Strokes Behind

Rahm was two strokes behind Thompson heading into Saturday. He started seven groups ahead of Thompson and took the lead with a scorching front nine that included four birdies and an eagle on the par-5 fifth. The Spaniard cooled off on the back nine with two birdies and a three-putt bogey on the par-3 17th, cutting his lead to one, before finishing with a par.

Thompson birdied No. 12 to tie Rahm but then bogeyed No. 14 with a short putt. He tied Rahm with a birdie on the par-5 16th.

“It’s fantastic. “I don’t think I have anything to lose in my rookie year,” Thompson said. “I just let it go. But I’m looking forward to playing with Jon. He’s a top-five player in the world. He’s fantastic. But I’m excited about the challenge and can’t wait for tomorrow.”

Thompson birdied four holes on the front nine. “I felt like I stayed patient and made some putts all day,” he said. “It always helps to get off to a good start. The ups and downs on 5 and 6 were crucial in keeping the momentum.

The Worlds Top Seven Players

“I was proud of myself for remaining patient. I didn’t try to force anything. I made a bogey on 14 but recovered to birdie 16. So it was a fitting conclusion.”

The field includes five of the world’s top seven players and ten of the top twenty.

Second-ranked Scottie Scheffler was among six players at 17 under par, including Dylan Wu, who had six straight birdies on his first nine holes in his 11-under 61 round at the Nicklaus Tournament Course.

Sixth-ranked Xander Schauffele was among five players at 15 under par, which included Tony Finau and Jason Day. Patrick Cantlay, No. 5, and Will Zalatoris, No. 7, were both 11 under.

SOURCE – (AP)