LA QUINTA, Calif. — Min Woo Lee is making his first start in the American Express this week, and it is the Australian star’s first start as a full member of the PGA Tour after playing much of last year on a temporary membership. So far, Lee likes what he sees in the desert.
“The weather’s unbelievable. It’s my first time in America this time of the year, which is weird, I guess,” he said. “I was in Vancouver last week and I saw snow for the first time, outside the car, so that was pretty cool. Normally, I’m in Australia or Dubai where it’s 100 degrees, so it’s quite nice to, I guess, see a white Christmas.”
As for the tournament’s reputation for having low scores, Lee said he generally plays well after a break like he’s had after winning two tournaments late in the year on the DP World Tour, including the Australian Open.
“I’m really excited. This week’s going to be fun. I know it’s, there’s a lot of birdies and the scoring’s really low, so it’s, I guess it’s a nice easier (start), in a way, but you still got to play really well, and hit your drives well and wedge it close. So, like Jon Rahm said, it’s a putting contest and, yeah, if you get on the green, hopefully you hole some putts.”
Rahm was caught disparaging the tournament a few years ago in a viral video, calling the event a “putting contest.” When Rahm won the event for the second time, he opened his press conference by saying he was glad he had won the putting contest.
Lee shot 7-under 65 Thursday and is tied for 14th entering the second round.
Alex Smalley reacts to his shot on the ninth hole during the first round of the The American Express golf tournament at PGA West Nicklaus Tournament Course. Mandatory Credit: Ray Acevedo-USA TODAY Sports
Alex Smalley, ranked 88th in the world ranking after a year that saw him finish 60th in the FedEx Cup points race, has taken on a job this year as an ambassador for the national First Tee youth development organization. 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 Middle School who has been part of the First Tee since she was 5.
“First Tee has done so much for me. I’m so grateful,” Gomez said. “I like part of the First Tee. My personality, who I am is because of the First Tee.”
Gomez and Smalley talked at La Quinta Country Club and again at PGA West, and Gomez says he offered her advice.
“Just to enjoy it, have fun,” Gomez said of Smalley’s advice. “Work hard, because nothing is given to you.”
Smalley said he dabbled in the First Tee as a junior, but the 27-year-old feels his ambassadorship with the program is a way for him to give back to the game. He says he generally meets First Tee players at tournaments each week, talking 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 first alternate into The American Express field for two days, but he finally worked his way into the field Thursday morning. Hahn moved into the field of 156 when Rafael Campos withdrew. Players do not have to provide a reason for withdrawing before tournament play begins.
He shot 3-under 69 at the Stadium Course.
Patrick Cantlay lines up his putt on the second green during Round 1 of The American Express at La Quinta Country Club in La Quinta, Calif., Thursday, Jan. 18, 2024.
Patrick Cantlay showed everyone it was possible to truly shoot low on the Pete Dye Stadium Course during the American Express with a 61 in the final round of the 2021 event. He says while the course is formidable, no one is frightened by the tournament any more.
“They have all become golf courses that you need to score really well on to have a chance at winning. Even Stadium, a lot of guys will shoot 5-, 6-, 7-, 8-under par at Stadium these days,” Cantlay said. “I think La Quinta (Country Club) before was maybe easier, but also people had a different mindset playing Stadium than they do the last five years. The mindset now is everyone knows you need to get into the mid 60s to have a chance.”
Tom Whitney’s story as a nuclear missile operator was part of the early week news at The American Express, but he’s a pro golfer now and making his first start in his rookie year. The good news for Whitney is he fired a 6-under 66 at the Stadium Course at PGA West on Thursday, good for a tie for 23rd. This is Whitney’s fourth overall PGA Tour start dating to 2018, when he made the cut at The American Express on a sponsor exemption.
Michael Block watches his tee shot off the first tee on the PGA West Stadium Course during the first round of The American Express in La Quinta, Calif., on Thursday, Jan. 18, 2024.
Michael Block, the club pro from Mission Viejo, California, who made such a stir at the PGA Championship by challenging for the lead and making a final-round hole-in-one while playing with Rory McIlroy, is back in the American Express field this year because he won the PGA of Southern California club pro championship for the fourth time.
That earns Block exemptions into the American Express this week and the Farmers Insurance Open next week in San Diego. Block started the tournament last year with a 65 but eventually missed the cut. He’ll have some work to do to make the cut this year after opening Thursday with an even-par 72 on the Stadium Course.