The American Express - Final Round Preview
LaQUINTA - Through 54 holes, there’s a pair of PGA Tour rooks, each making their 14th start on Tour, tied for the lead at The American Express. Rookie Paul Barjon has played his last six holes of each round this week in 4-under par while rookie Lee Hodges shot (64) Saturday, two rounds removed from an opening-round 10-under (62).
With one bogey through 54 holes, Tom Hoge closes is trying for his first career PGA title in his 201st start. He is only one stroke off the lead .
Ireland’s Seamus Power played his first six holes in 6-under in bid for second-consecutive Top-5 finish but with a win today, he would move to No. 2 in the FedExCup standings. Power is two off the lead.
World No. 1 and 2018 American Express champion Jon Rahm (T-15) at (-13) offset one bogey with six birdies on the Stadium Course to post a 5-under (67).
In his bid to become the first player to successfully defend his American Express title since Johnny Miller in 1976, Si Woo Kim sits T-24 at 11-under (205)
Making his 19th start in The American Express, two-time tournament champion (2002, 2004) Phil Mickelson missed the cut for a third consecutive season (7-over par - (223).
54-hole cut: 70 players at 7-under (209) from the field of 156 professionals. The final round will feature threesomes off split tees on the Stadium Course.
AMEX Leaderboard after Third Round:
Lee Hodges 62-72-64—198 (-18) LQ-NT-SC
Paul Barjon 66-67-65—198 (-18) LQ-NT-SC
Tom Hoge 65-66-68-–199 (-17) NT-SC-LQ
Seamus Power 65-69-66—200 (-16) NT-SC-LQ
Full leaderboard: (link)
The American Express:
COURSE: PGA West (Stadium)
PRIZE Money/First Place Winnings: $7,600,000/$1,368,000
DEFENDING CHAMPION: Si Woo Kim
PAST RESULTS: (link)
PAST CHAMPIONS: (link)
FEDEx CUP Points / to Winner: 500
SOCIAL MEDIA: #PGATour #FedExCup @theamexgolf
OFFICIAL SITE: (The American Express)
TV COVERAGE: TV coverage is from 3:00pm to 7:00pm (ET) on Golf Channel.
PGA TOUR LIVE STREAMING on ESPN+: Streaming coverage will be featured on ESPN-Plus today with Main Feed, Featured Hole and Featured Groups from 11:30am to 7:00pm (ET).
PGA TOUR RADIO COVERAGE: SiriusXM Radio will have live radio coverage of the The American Express with live broadcast from 2:00pm to 7:00pm (ET). PGA Tour Radio is available on Sirius 208/XM 92 or online via PGATour(dot)com.
How to Watch: In case of changes, visit: (PGATourCom)
The Basics:
The American Express Tee Times today: 8:45am (local)/11:45pm (ET) and continue to leaders tee-off at 10:55pm (local)/1:55pm (ET). Playing in threesomes today at PGA West Stadium Course only.
Weather: Sunny with temps 61-75 degrees. Winds only 7-9 mph. (link)
PGATourBrunch will post at 12 Noon (ET) on Monday with a review of The American Express and a first look at Torrey Pines.
This Week: The Farmer’s Insurance ( (link)
What They’re Saying:
Hodges, Barjon Share Lead at AMEX (PGATourCom/Associated Press)
Lanto Griffin in Contention after Misstep with his Dog (Golf Channel)
Harry Higgs in AMEX Hunt (Golf Channel)
AMEX Living Up to Reputation (GolfDigest)
How to Watch the Final Round at The American Express (Golf Week/USA Today)
On This Day in Golf History:
January 23, 2011 - Jonathan Vegas became the first Venezuelan to win a PGA Tour event when he made a 13-foot putt on the second playoff hole at the Bob Hope Classic at LaQuinta. - Courtesy of Randy Walker, Author of On This Day in Golf History, available via Amazon.com and by clicking HERE
