Rookie Thompson resists Rahm’s push at La Quinta

The American Davis Thompson (64) follow the leader then second day of The American Express two shots ahead Jon Rahmthe same margin that separated them after Thursday’s first round.

Thompson and Rahm signed a card of -8 each this Friday, so after two games the American has accumulated -18 while the Basque follows him closely with -16 in this tournament taking place in three courses in La Quinta, California. Rahm played this Friday at Nicklaus Tournament Course and this Saturday he will do it at Pete Dye (Stadium) course.

Five players share third place at -13 overall after two days: Tom Kim, JT Poston, Sungjae Im, Jason Day and Tyler Duncan.

Thompson, a 23-year-old rookie, nearly seven feet tall, and a student at the University of Georgiawas placed in the lead after the first day with -10 and more than one thought that he would not last long at the top of the classification and see where this Friday he maintained his type, the leader of the tournament despite two 64- hit cards de Rahm, let’s remember the champion of this event when he was CareerBuilder, in 2018.

Thompson also played in the Nicklaus Tournament and held the lead after an incredible stretch of 7-under five holes: birdie-eagle-birdie-birdie-eagle between 12 and 16.

Rahm, for his part, is not losing steam while waiting for this Saturday’s route on the theoretically most complicated track. He started off the 10th tee, carding four birdies in the first nine holes and four more in the second, this time without a bogey on his cards.

“I felt good, with a lot of confidence. On the difficult course two days in a row I got a very good position, so hopefully I can maintain my level of play at the weekend,” said Rahm, in the mixed zone.

Continue the fight for world number 1

Rahm’s score after two rounds was similar to what he had when he won it in 2018. “I remember that year it was played a little harder. I think I made par or one under in the third round in Stadium and I hardly lose positions. But on Saturday, if I do that, I lose ground, so I have to keep going. With so many good players, you have to show up at the weekend and play very low. Like two weeks ago, I was 16 under par on the weekend and finished winning. You have to keep your foot on the accelerator and keep making birdies”, added the Barrika native.

Finally, he emphasized the leader’s performance in these terms: “Did he make three eagles today?” Five eagles in two rounds on different courses is impressive. But I don’t think I’ll be able to maintain that pace at the weekend.”

In the battle for world number one, there are still two players looking to dethrone Rory McIlroy. Scottie Scheffler, who only needs to finish ninth solo or better to reclaim the throne, is definitely ninth, though tied with some, with -11. Patrick Cantlay will be number one if he wins and his rival finishes above eighth place, but eight shots off the lead (-10).