"Weekend Fore-cast" prepares you for golf's major tours heading into the weekend. PGA Professional Brendon Elliott, a three-decade industry veteran, provides his insights for RG. In this installment, Elliott looks at the action through two rounds at The American Express.
Charley Hoffman and Rico Hoey Share Lead at 16-Under
As the second round of The American Express wrapped up, Charley Hoffman and Rico Hoey positioned themselves at the top of the leaderboard, sharing the lead at an impressive 16-under par two-day total. Hoffman and Hoey carded matching 9-under par 63s while playing the Nicklaus Course on Friday. Journeyman Hoffman is doing his damage on the greens, leading the field in putts per GIR with only an average of 1.39 needed. Hoey is in complete control of his iron play, leading the tournament with a staggering 91.67% in GIR. That's only three missed greens through the first 36 holes.
Justin Lower, Mark Hubbard, Sepp Straka One Shot Back of Leaders
Justin Lower, Mark Hubbard, and Sepp Straka are closely trailing the leaders, just one shot back at 15-under par. Lower kicked off the tournament with an impressive 63 at La Quinta Country Club, featuring eight birdies on his scorecard, including back-to-back eagles at the 5th and 6th holes (his 14th and 15th holes of the day). This performance placed him one shot behind first-round leader J.T. Poston, who had a tough outing on Friday, finishing with a 4-over par round of 76 on the challenging Stadium Course. Lower followed his strong opening round with a 6-under par 66 on Friday to get him to that 15-under mark where he sits heading into Saturday.
Mark Hubbard and Sepp Straka shot identical rounds of 65 on Thursday at the Nicklaus Course, followed by matching 64s on the more demanding Pete Dye Stadium Course on Friday. With their consistent play, the trio is well-positioned for success as the tournament moves into the weekend.
Day, Spaun, Fowler, Thomas, and Taylor Lurking
Several prominent players are poised near the top, ready to take advantage of any mistakes from the leaders this weekend. These players include Jason Day, J.J. Spaun, Rickie Fowler, Justin Thomas, and Nick Taylor, all set to make their way up the leaderboard on Saturday. With Rickie Fowler lighting things up by shooting a remarkable 10-under par 62 on Friday, fans can look forward to an exciting weekend.
Players of Note
17-Year-Old Blades Brown, who was making his professional debut, went out flat on Thursday, shooting an even-par 72, but on Friday, he came roaring back with an 8-under par 64 on the Nicklaus Tournament Course. He sits in a tie for 40th, at 8-under par, along with six others, including defending champ Nick Dunlap. Sponsors invite, YouTuber Wesley Bryan is well behind the pace with a two-day total of 2 over par. However, he will live to play one more day as the cut takes place after the third round.
Three Course Rotation Figures In Significantly
One of the unique challenges of The American Express tournament is the three-course rotation, which includes La Quinta Country Club, The Nicklaus Tournament Course, and The Pete Dye Stadium Course. It's common to discuss players getting favorable tee times in the morning versus the afternoon and the impact of weather. However, this week, the specific courses that players start on early in the tournament also play a significant role in influencing the leaderboard.
Due to the varying levels of difficulty among the three courses, the overall leaderboard cannot be fully understood without considering this factor, as reported by PGATOUR.com:
On Friday, the Stadium Course averaged 71.806 strokes for those who teed it up there, which was actually an improvement from Thursday's average of 72.230. Thursday saw the field go relatively low on La Quinta CC, averaging 68.680 strokes, up slightly from 68.286 in Thursday's round. The Nicklaus Tournament Course had played the easiest by far, averaging 67.616 strokes Thursday, down from Thursday's 68.154 average.
PGA TOUR Releases Statement Regarding February's Genesis Invitational, Encourages Fans to Support LA
As shared by the PGA TOUR late Friday:
The PGA TOUR's focus continues to be on the safety and well-being of those affected by the unprecedented natural disaster in Greater Los Angeles. We are grateful for the life-saving efforts of first responders and the tireless work being done to put an end to the tragic wildfires.
In collaboration with Genesis, The Riviera Country Club, and TGR Live, and out of respect for the unfolding situation, we have determined that The Genesis Invitational 2025 will be played at an alternate location the week of Feb. 10-16. A venue update and additional tournament information will be provided in the coming days.
The PGA TOUR is identifying the most impactful ways the tournament can support the Los Angeles community and the ongoing relief efforts. We encourage fans to join the support at PGATOUR.com/SupportLA.
Coming Up On Monday's "The Starter"
In next week's edition of "The Starter," I will recap The American Express. Additionally, I’ll summarize the action from the DP World Tour's Hero Dubai Desert Classic, featuring players like Tyrrell Hatton, Min Woo Lee, and Rory McIlroy. I will also preview Tuesday's TGL match between New York and Atlanta. Check it out on Monday, exclusively at RG.
Brendon Elliott, a distinguished PGA Professional, is best known for his dedication to the growth and development of junior golf. With nearly three decades of experience, Elliott has been recognized multiple times as one of the best instructors, both regionally and nationally.
Elliott's crowning achievement was being named the 2017 PGA of America National Youth Player Development Award Winner, a testament to his exceptional skills and dedication. He is the founder of Little Linksters, an award-winning youth golf academy and nonprofit that works with kids of all abilities to help them develop a passion for golf. His innovative teaching methods and love for the game have made significant impacts on students and the broader golfing community.
Additionally, Brendon, a Golf Writers Association of America member, has become a renowned freelance golf writer, further solidifying his position as a top professional in the industry.
