PGA Tour: JT Poston sets pace after first round of The American Express in California | Golf news

JT Poston shot a 10-under 62 to take a one-shot lead after day one of the American Express at La Quinta Country Club.

The 31-year-old American started on the back nine and was the first to recover from his only bogey on the par-four as he finished his round with an eagle and nine birdies.

Justin Lower is a shot behind Poston after a bogey-free 63 that included back-to-back eagles, a shot ahead of an eight-under group that includes Jason Day, Joel Dahmen, Chris Kirk, JJ Spaun and Matti Schmid.

“When I feel like I’m hitting really well, I feel like I have all the shots and I can get the ball close to the hole and really take advantage of those clubs for a point,” Poston, a three-time PGA Tour winner, said. “I feel like I can go out there and make a bunch of birdies like I did today, so a tournament like this plays into that.”

Canadian Nick Taylor built on his Sony Open victory last Sunday with a 65 on the Pete Dye Stadium Course. Tony Finau is seven under, while Justin Thomas shot 67 and Patrick Cantlay shot 68.

Blades Brown, a 17-year-old boy wonder playing with a sponsor’s exemption, shot 72 in his first round as a pro. After bogeying the second hole and two-putting the third, the Nashville, Tennessee, high school senior settled down and strung together three straight birdies before finishing with 12-straight par.

The American Express is the third event of the new PGA Tour season and one of only two pro-ams on the calendar, carrying over from the event’s long history as the Bob Hope Desert Classic.

World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler had planned to play but pulled out 10 days ago to allow more time for his right hand injury to heal after a freak Christmas accident.

Defending champion Nick Dunlap posted a 67 at La Quinta in his return to the tournament where he became the first amateur in 33 years to win on the PGA Tour.

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