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LA QUINTA, Calif. — Min Woo Lee is making his first begin within the American Categorical this week, and it’s the Australian star’s first begin as a full member of the PGA Tour after enjoying a lot of final 12 months on a brief membership. Thus far, Lee likes what he sees within the desert.
“The climate’s unbelievable. It’s my first time in America this time of the 12 months, which is bizarre, I suppose,” he mentioned. “I used to be in Vancouver final week and I noticed snow for the primary time, outdoors the automotive, in order that was fairly cool. Usually, I’m in Australia or Dubai the place it’s 100 levels, so it’s fairly good to, I suppose, see a white Christmas.”
As for the event’s popularity for having low scores, Lee mentioned he usually performs effectively after a break like he’s had after successful two tournaments late within the 12 months on the DP World Tour, together with the Australian Open.
“I’m actually excited. This week’s going to be enjoyable. I do know it’s, there’s a whole lot of birdies and the scoring’s actually low, so it’s, I suppose it’s a pleasant simpler (begin), in a means, however you continue to received to play rather well, and hit your drives effectively and wedge it shut. So, like Jon Rahm mentioned, it’s a placing contest and, yeah, if you happen to get on the inexperienced, hopefully you gap some putts.”
Rahm was caught disparaging the event just a few years in the past in a viral video, calling the occasion a “placing contest.” When Rahm received the occasion for the second time, he opened his press convention by saying he was glad he had received the placing contest.
Lee shot 7-under 65 Thursday and is tied for 14th coming into the second spherical.
Alex Smalley reacts to his shot on the ninth gap throughout the first spherical of the The American Categorical golf event at PGA West Nicklaus Match Course. Obligatory Credit score: Ray Acevedo-USA TODAY Sports activities
Alex Smalley, ranked 88th on the planet rating after a 12 months that noticed him end sixtieth within the FedEx Cup factors race, has taken on a job this 12 months as an envoy for the nationwide First Tee youth growth group. In a pre-tournament encounter this week, Smalley met with a member of the First Tee of the Coachella Valley, Sasha Gomez of La Quinta, a 14-year-old from La Quinta Center Faculty who has been a part of the First Tee since she was 5.
“First Tee has performed a lot for me. I’m so grateful,” Gomez mentioned. “I like a part of the First Tee. My persona, who I’m is due to the First Tee.”
Gomez and Smalley talked at La Quinta Nation Membership and once more at PGA West, and Gomez says he provided her recommendation.
“Simply to take pleasure in it, have enjoyable,” Gomez mentioned of Smalley’s recommendation. “Work onerous, as a result of nothing is given to you.”
Smalley mentioned he dabbled within the First Tee as a junior, however the 27-year-old feels his ambassadorship with this system is a means for him to present again to the sport. He says he usually meets First Tee gamers at tournaments every week, speaking to them on the course or away from the course like Gomez.
James Hahn, a two-time winner on the PGA Tour, has been the primary alternate into The American Categorical subject for 2 days, however he lastly labored his means into the sector Thursday morning. Hahn moved into the sector of 156 when Rafael Campos withdrew. Gamers don’t have to supply a motive for withdrawing earlier than event play begins.
He shot 3-under 69 on the Stadium Course.
Patrick Cantlay strains up his putt on the second inexperienced throughout Spherical 1 of The American Categorical at La Quinta Nation Membership in La Quinta, Calif., Thursday, Jan. 18, 2024.
Patrick Cantlay confirmed everybody it was potential to actually shoot low on the Pete Dye Stadium Course throughout the American Categorical with a 61 within the ultimate spherical of the 2021 occasion. He says whereas the course is formidable, nobody is frightened by the event any extra.
“They’ve all change into golf programs that it is advisable to rating rather well on to have an opportunity at successful. Even Stadium, a whole lot of guys will shoot 5-, 6-, 7-, 8-under par at Stadium as of late,” Cantlay mentioned. “I feel La Quinta (Nation Membership) earlier than was possibly simpler, but in addition individuals had a special mindset enjoying Stadium than they do the final 5 years. The mindset now’s everybody is aware of it is advisable to get into the mid 60s to have an opportunity.”
Tom Whitney’s story as a nuclear missile operator was a part of the early week information at The American Categorical, however he’s a professional golfer now and making his first begin in his rookie 12 months. The excellent news for Whitney is he fired a 6-under 66 on the Stadium Course at PGA West on Thursday, good for a tie for twenty third. That is Whitney’s fourth general PGA Tour begin courting to 2018, when he made the lower at The American Categorical on a sponsor exemption.
Michael Block watches his tee shot off the primary tee on the PGA West Stadium Course throughout the first spherical of The American Categorical in La Quinta, Calif., on Thursday, Jan. 18, 2024.
Michael Block, the membership professional from Mission Viejo, California, who made such a stir on the PGA Championship by difficult for the lead and making a final-round hole-in-one whereas enjoying with Rory McIlroy, is again within the American Categorical subject this 12 months as a result of he received the PGA of Southern California membership professional championship for the fourth time.
That earns Block exemptions into the American Categorical this week and the Farmers Insurance coverage Open subsequent week in San Diego. Block began the event final 12 months with a 65 however ultimately missed the lower. He’ll have some work to do to make the lower this 12 months after opening Thursday with an even-par 72 on the Stadium Course.
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