Spain’s Rahm shares PGA American Express lead with rookie Thompson
World number four Jon Rahm, chasing his second US PGA Tour title in as many weeks, shares the lead with rookie Davis Thompson heading into the final round of the American Express Tournament.
Fourth-ranked Spaniard Rahm sounded supremely confident after firing an eagle and six birdies on Saturday in a seven-under par 65 to pull level with overnight leader Thompson on 23-under 193 at La Quinta, California.
Thompson, a former amateur standout at the University of Georgia and a winner on the Korn Ferry developmental tour, carded a five-under par 67 to keep himself squarely in the hunt for a first PGA Tour title.
“Nothing but positive. That’s all I can say,” said former US Open champion Rahm, who won this title in 2018.
“Ball striking felt amazing. Hit a lot of great shots out there off the tee. Giving myself a lot of opportunities with the irons. Took advantage of quite a few of them.”
Even some difficulties on the greens coming in - most notably a three-putt bogey at the parthree 17th - didn’t dampen Rahm’s confidence, although he said he knew another low score would be needed on the Stadium Course, where the final round will be held after the first three rounds were spread over three courses.
Rahm, who opened 2023 with a come-from-behind victory in the Tournament of Champions in Hawaii this month, walked off the 18th with the lead, even though he couldn’t get a 12-foot birdie putt to drop at the last.
He had expected Thompson, who piled up a US tour recordequalling five eagles over the first two rounds - to regain the top spot.
But the 23-year-old American, who had five birdies in his first 12 holes but dropped out of a tie for the lead with a bogey at the 14th, found only one more birdie coming in - rolling in a four-footer at the 16th at the Stadium Course.
“I was really proud with how I stayed patient,” Thompson said. “I didn’t really force anything. Made a bad bogey on 14, but came back and birdied 16, so it was a good way to finish.”