Rozner succeeds in his debut, Poston in front, Taylor among the virtual leaders

For his very first PGA Tour tournament as a member, and even his first 18 holes, Antoine Rozner scored an excellent -5 which places him in a good position in California. The other Frenchman in the running, Victor Perez, was solid, but less festive. The leader after the first round of the American Express is JT Poston.

Five birdies, no mistakes: the great debut ofAntoine Rozner on the PGA Tour as a member of the American circuit (he has of course already played Majors) have been impeccable. The Racingman is ranked 28th in theAmerican Express after this 1st round, tied in particular with the title holder, Nick Dunlapor even one of the tournament favorites, Justin Thomas.

You had to score low from the start to be in the running at La Quinta, particularly for those who, like Rozner, were starting out on the course. Nicklaus Tournament Course. Victor Perez was also on the most affordable layout of this rotating tournament (players play the first three rounds on three courses, the other two being the Pete Dye Stadium Course of the PGA West – the most difficult – and the La Quinta Country Club).

Tarbais was a little down on putting. He had to settle for four birdies and one bogey.

Day and Dahmen on the provisional podium

This 69 remains a solid card, but we will surely have to perform better on the greens to make the cut. Last year, Nick Dunlap, then an amateur, won with a total score of -29. Two years ago, Jon Rahm triumphed with the mark of -27…

The leader, the American J.T. Postonis already in very good tempo: he slammed a superb 62 on the Nicklaus Tournament Course.

“I like playing on these courses where you can make a lot of birdies”recognized the three-time winner on the PGA Tour.

The North Carolina player, known to be excellent on the greens, loves this particular tournament: he finished 6th in 2023 and 11th last year. Poston ahead of his compatriot Justin Lower (who scored low as his name suggests), author of the highest ball card at the La Quinta Country Club (63). Experienced players complete the podium, such as the former world No. 1 Jason Day et Joel Dahmenwho saved his card at the last minute at the end of last year.

Taylor, Young and Suber virtual leaders

But in a tournament that is played on three different courses, you sometimes have to go further down the rankings to identify the best performance of the day.

This is undoubtedly to the credit of the three players at -7 on the Stadium Course. Carson Young, Jackson Climb and the winner of the Sony Open, the Canadian Nick Taylor, eighth in the ranking, are therefore virtually in the best position to approach the last round in 36 holes in the lead, when the players qualified on the evening of the cut will return to this formidable course signed Pete Dye.

Note that Nick Taylor achieved his 4th best statistical performance of his career this Thursday by winning more than 7 strokes over the rest of the field who played the same route. The previous three times, he had won the tournament!

Im in the rough, Blade Brown in training

Some favorites struggled, like the South Korean Sungjae Imantepenultimate with a severe 77 (+5). The 19th in the world therefore has two rounds left instead of one to try to get the cut. For him, it's the only positive note of the day… As for the young Blades Brownturned pro at just 17 years old, he had to settle for a card in par.

Le leaderboard

© Orlando Ramirez / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP