The first lap of the American Express in Palm Springs smiled on Paul Barjon who took his place in the lead pack. Patrick Cantlay and the surprising Lee Hodges occupy the lead 10 shots under par.
In an alliance format similar to the Dunhill Links Championship in St Andrews, this American Express is played on three different courses in the famous Coachella Valley: The Fifth CC, le Stadium Course and the Nicklaus Course
Barjon in the game
On the route considered to be the easiest of “La Quinta”, Paul Barjon perfectly launched his second tournament of the calendar year with an excellent 66 (-6). Starting from 10, the Frenchman first scored two birdies on his first four holes. His first and only bogey on the 7 was quickly erased by another birdie on the 9
The former resident of the Korn Ferry Tour ended his day with a bang, with a chain eagle, birdie, by, birdie on the last third.
After finishing on a high note at Sony Open, here he is at the gates of the top 10 in thirteenth place, four lengths from the lead, in the company of world number 1, Jon Rahm and of Graeme McDowel who also started their rotation through the La Quinta course.
Cantlay and Hodges on fire
After starting its 2021-2022 season with a nice 4th place at the Tournament of Champions, Patrick Cantlay didn’t take long to find its bearings on Thursday.
-7 after 7 holes the American reached the mark of -10 after three new consecutive birdies between 11 and 13.
The No. 1 in the FedEx Cup last year could have finished with an even lower score, but his putts, especially on 17 and 18, just missed the target.
That spin though … ????@Patrick_Cantlay dials in the approach at No. 17. pic.twitter.com/XhHP27OLwa
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) January 20, 2022
With this 62 (-10) Cantlay shares first place with Lee Hodges, a promoted from the Korn Ferry Tour who also signed a go in -7 before recording three birdies between 11 and 13.
The two Americans are two strokes ahead of Cameron Young and K.H. Lee and three out of a group of eight players.
Leader in the clubhouse.
TOUR Rookie and @UA_Athletics alum Lee Hodges is out front @TheAmexGolf. pic.twitter.com/YTzBhvSoBJ
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) January 20, 2022
Mickelson unscrews
Among the good cards of the day, note the 67 (-5) of the Australian Jason Day and from the Italian Francesco Molinari (24th). They are followed by a period Justin Rose (41e).
Will Zalatoris and Patrick Reed will not have to fall asleep if they want to pass the cut (-1, 96es), just like Tony Finau (by, 110th) and Rickie Fowler (+1, 119e)
-4 thru 5.@JustinRose99 is setting the pace early @TheAmexGolf. pic.twitter.com/NIGiVWxfHY
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) January 20, 2022
Much more amazing: Matthew Wolff and Phil Mickelson close the march after very heavy cards of 78 (+6). The winner of the PGA Championship at Kiawah Island in particular conceded a fivefold bogey on the par 4 of the 8 of the course of the Quinta.
The video summary of the 1st round
The leaderboard
©Sam Greenwood/Getty Images/AFP
