PGA Tour: Charley Hoffman, Rico Hoey share lead at The American Express in California | Golf news
Charley Hoffman and Rico Hoey shot a par 63 to take a half-way lead at The American Express at La Quinta Country Club in California.
Hoffman birdied five of his last seven holes on the Nicklaus Tournament course – one of three used for the event – while Hoey carded eight birdies in 10 holes from the fourth on the same layout.
Hoffman, who included two eagles in his round, is chasing his first PGA Tour victory since 2016 after being plagued by back problems in recent years.
Three years ago, I wasn’t very healthy and I wasn’t a very good golfer, Hoffman said.
“I feel good right this second. Like I said, I could wake up in the morning and feel completely different.
“When I’m healthy, when the weather is warm, I feel like I can beat anyone in the world. When it’s cold and my back doesn’t feel good, I don’t think I can beat anyone in the world.”
Hoey added: “For me, this is my second year on the tour, so I’m still kind of in awe of a lot of those guys, Hoffman, Cantlay, Rickie and others.
“For me, it’s really cool just to put my name out there and keep up with them, so that’s all I’m trying to do.”
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The pair are tied at the top of the leaderboard at 16 under par, one ahead of Austrian Sepp Straka, American Mark Hubbard – who both had 64 on the Pete Dye Stadium course – and compatriot Justin Lower.
Australian Jason Day and American JJ Spaun are a bit further back, followed by a 13-under-par group that includes Nick Taylor, last week’s winner of The Sony Open, and Rickie Fowler, who carded a 62 on the Nicklaus course.
Watch the third round from The American Express live on Sky Sports Golf on Saturday at 7pm. Streaming the PGA Tour, the majors and more NOW
