Fowler, Scheffler lead American Express
LA QUINTA, Calif. — Rickie Fowler shot an 8-under 64 on Friday at PGA West’s Jack Nicklaus Tournament Course for a share of the second-round lead of the American Exress with Scottie Scheffler.
In position to make the trip over the hill to San Diego and Torrey Pines with his sixth PGA Tour title and first since Phoenix a year ago, Fowler set up shop last week at the nearby Madison Club after tying for fifth at Kapalua in the Sentry Tournament of Champions.
He opened with a 65 on Thursday at La Quinta Country Club.
Playing in the same third of the field as Fowler in the pro-am event, Scheffler also opened with rounds of 65 and 64. He birdied the first four holes and six of the first seven Friday, then rebounded from a double bogey on the par-4 18th with an eagle and two birdies in his second nine.
“Wish the double wasn’t in there, but it was still a very good score,” Scheffler said. “I feel like I’ve been playing pretty well, just doing a good job managing my game, giving myself a lot of looks.”
The 23-year-old former University of Texas star is in his first season on the PGA Tour after winning twice and topping the Korn Ferry Tour Finals and overall points lists.
Tournament host Phil Mickelson needed a low round at the Stadium Course to make the cut after rounds of 70 and 72 in his first start of the year.
Andrew Landry was a stroke out of the lead after a 64 at La Quinta.
In other news:
• Canada’s Brooke Henderson parlayed four birdies and a late eagle into a share of the lead at the LPGA’s season-opening Diamond Resorts Tournament of Champions at Lake Buena Vista, Fla.
Henderson had a 5under 66 to join Inbee Park of South Korea at 9-under 133 heading to the weekend at Four Seasons Golf and Sports Club Orlando.
Henderson, No. 3 in the Rolex Rankings and the highest-ranked player among the 26 LPGA players in the field, had a clean scorecard until three-putting from the back collar at the difficult, 192-yard closing hole for her lone bogey.
• Francesco Laporta earned a one-shot lead halfway through the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship after carding a 9-under 63, while top-ranked Brooks Koepka struggled.
Koepka shot a 3-over 75 to drop to 3 under and into a tie for 35th.