PGA Tour Brunch - The AmEx - (R-2)
@PGATourBrunch as The American Express Readies for Round 2 at LaQuinta
The American Express - Tournament Notes
Brandon Hagy was added to the field just this Wednesday when John Rahm withdrew from The American Express and proved he belonged with a performance one stroke shy of his career low. Hagy shot a (64) by making a string of three consecutive birdies on three occasions en route to his lowest score since posting his career-low of (63) at La Quinta Country Club in round two of last season’s The American Express when he finished T-48.
Byeong Hun An made seven birdies and no bogeys en route to his lowest score on the PGA Tour since his 6-under (64) in the final round of the 2020 PGA Championship last August when he T-22. He is seeking his first career PGA Tour title in his 126th start.
Fresh off his fifth career PGA Tour title last week at the Sony Open in Hawaii, Kevin Na, currently T-143, posted a 3-over (75) on the Stadium Course. With a win, Na can become the first player to win in back-to-back weeks since Brendon Todd at the 2019 Bermuda Championship and Mayakoba Golf Classic.
The Stadium Course first round scoring average was 71.051, while Nicklaus Tournament Course played to a 70.385 average.
Mark Wilson withdrew before round one and was replaced in the field by Matt Every.
Cutline is currently projected at (-2) for 90 players, but the range has 40% chance to swing to (-4).
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The American Express - Leaderboard
(After Round 1)
Brandon Hagy 64 - (-8)
Byeong Hun An 65 - (-7)
*Si Woo Kim - 66 (-6)
Martin Laird - 66 (-6)
Max Homa - 66 (-6)
Nine players tied for sixth - 67 (-5)
*Stadium Course while all other Nicklaus Tournament Course
Full Leaderboard (link)
What They’re Saying:
Late Entry Hagy Opens with 64 (ESPN/Associated Press)
Mickelson Might Not Play Many PGA Events, Opting for Champions (CBS Sports)
Keep an Eye on HSBC Championship in Abu Dhabi (Tourney Site)
Lonnie Nielsen Passed Away (PGA Champions Tour)
Phil Mickelson Denies Involvement with White House Commutation (ESPN)
#SportsBiz and Golf Industry News:
Tokyo Summer Olympic Games in Serious Doubt (Axios)
Arnold Palmer’s Bay Hill to Allow 25% Capacity (Golf Week/USA Today)
The Basics:
ROUND 2 TEE TIMES: Begin at 9:10am (local)/12:10pm (ET) - (link)
SOCIAL MEDIA: #PGATour #FedEXCup @theamexgolf @TheAmexGolf
TV COVERAGE: (All on GOLF CHANNEL) Friday, January 21-to-Sunday, January 24 - 3:00pm to 7:00pm (ET)
PGA TOUR RADIO COVERAGE: Friday, January 22 - 1:00pm to 7:00pm (ET); Saturday, January 23 and Sunday, January 24 - 2:00pm-7:00pm (ET)
On This Day in Golf History:
January 22, 2016 - Robert Allenby made his 10th career hole-in-one in the second round of the (then) Career-Builder Challenge at LaQuinta. Allenby’s ace came on the 12th hole of the Nicklaus Tournament course. He nailed the 165-yard hole with hi 7-iron. (Courtesy Randy Walker), Author of On This Day in Golf History, available via Amazon.com and by clicking HERE
Partin’ Putt:
Cameron Champ Sticks It, But …
