Thompson on top at La Quinta

PGA Tour rookie Davis Thompson played his first six holes in seven under, including consecutive eagles, and shot a career-low 10under-par 62 at La Quinta on Thursday to take a twostroke lead over Jon Rahm and four others after the first round of the American Express.

Thompson birdied three of the first four holes and then made eagle on both par-fives on the front nine, Nos. 5 and 6. He made the turn in eight-under 28, the lowest front-nine score at La Quinta.

The start on a sunny day in the desert put Thompson two clear of Rahm, Tyler Duncan, Taylor Montgomery, Matti Schmid and Sam Burns.

“I just got off to a hot start and just kind of coasted on my way in,” said Thompson, who finished with a birdie. “It’s always good to see some putts go in early and give you confidence to just keep it rolling.”

Rahm, the world’s fourth-ranked player who won two weeks ago at Kapalua, shot 64 at La Quinta, one of three courses being used for the first three rounds. After the cut at 54 holes, the final round will be played at the Stadium Course at PGA West.

The field includes five of the top seven players in the world and 10 of the top 20.

Henderson ahead

Brooke Henderson enjoyed the opening day of a fresh LPGA season, shooting a five-under 67 on the Lake Nona course to take a one-shot lead in the Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions at Orlando, Fla.

Henderson started fast with birdies on three of her first eight holes. She added three more against one bogey on her inward nine to take a one-shot lead over Nelly Korda, who at No. 2 is the highest-ranked player in this week’s winners-only field.

England’s Charley Hull and first-time winners Gemma Dryburgh (Scotland) and Ashleigh Buhai (South Africa) opened with 69s.

LIV Golf TV deal

Saudi-funded LIV Golf announced a television partnership five weeks before the start of its second season, revealing it has an agreement with the CW to air tournaments on the weekend and stream the first rounds on the CW’s app.