Zach Johnson followed a birdie on No. 1 at La Quinta with a pair of pars before reeling off six consecutive birdies on Nos. 4-9, matching his career-best birdie streak, to close with a bogey-free 62 and a share of the lead at 10-under at The American Express.
“La Quinta Country Club is legitimately one of the purest places we play on the PGA TOUR year-in, year-out. The grass is — it almost looks fake. If you have it going, and you have some sort of rhythm, and you’re seeing the lines on the putting green, because they’re pure, you can put a number up. Love this place. ... I told the assistant pro today if I broke 76 that I should get a free membership, but I don’t think that’s going to (happen). That’s unfortunate, but we’ll keep working on ‘em.”
The American recorded a total of 10 birdies in a round for the third time in his career. His front nine 29 was the lowest nine-hole score in his starts on Tour.
Sweden's Alex Noren started on No. 10 at La Quinta and reached 7-under through seven holes after a birdie-birdie-birdie-eagle-par-birdie-birdie start. He offset a double-bogey six at No. 17 with additional birdies on five of his last six holes for a share of the lead. He missed just three fairways and three greens in regulation and needed 23 putts to complete his round.
Philippines native Rico Hoey, making his fourth career start on the PGA TOUR, opened with a bogey-free 9-under 63 on the Nicklaus Tournament Course to take a share of third place.
South African Christiaan Bezuidenhout missed just two greens in regulation en route to a 9-under 63 at La Quinta to tie with Hoey.
Related: Rory McIlroy finishes poorly on opening day of Hero Dubai Desert Classic defence
Aon Swing 5
The American Express, the third event of the 2024 PGA TOUR Season and second Full-Field Event, marks the second opportunity for players to earn FedExCup points towards the Aon Swing 5.
The Aon Next 10 and Aon Swing 5 are eligibility pathways for players, not already qualified, to play their way into Signature Events via the FedExCup standings.
The top five players not otherwise exempt who earn the most FedExCup points during the Sony Open in Hawaii, The American Express and Farmers Insurance Open will qualify for the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am. The top five players not otherwise exempt who earn the most FedExCup points during those three events and the WM Phoenix Open, will qualify for The Genesis Invitational.
The Aon Next 10 for the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am and The Genesis Invitational was determined through the FedExCup Fall standings.
