JT Poston Shoots 62 to Lead American Express

J.T. Poston fired a blistering 10-under 62 to grab the first-round lead at The American Express, showing once again why he’s so comfortable in desert golf.

Playing the Nicklaus Tournament Course at PGA West, Poston put together nine birdies and an eagle to edge Justin Lower by one shot. Lower’s bogey-free 63 at La Quinta included back-to-back eagles – a career first for him in tournament play.

“I’ve never done that,” Lower said. “I don’t even think I’ve done it in just a regular round, but let alone a tournament round. Any time you can make back-to-back eagles, it certainly helps the score.”

A group at 8-under includes Jason Day, Joel Dahmen, Chris Kirk, J.J. Spaun and Matti Schmid.

This isn’t Poston’s first desert success. He won in Las Vegas last fall and has two top-15 finishes at this event in the past two years.

“When I feel like I’m really hitting it good, I feel like I’ve got all the shots,” said Poston, a three-time PGA Tour winner. “I can get the ball close to the hole and really take advantage of those scoring clubs.”

Fresh off his Sony Open victory, Nick Taylor kept the momentum going with a solid 65 at the challenging Pete Dye Stadium Course. Tony Finau opened with 65, while Justin Thomas (67) and Patrick Cantlay (68) stayed within striking distance.

The tournament’s defending champion, Nick Dunlap, returned to where his pro career began with a 67 at La Quinta. Now 21, he reflected on the whirlwind year since becoming the first amateur winner on Tour in 33 years right here.

“I would definitely say it was overwhelming,” Dunlap said. “My life got sped up a little bit, and in a good way. I’m out here, I’m living my dream, and wouldn’t change it for anything.”

One of the most intriguing stories of the day was 17-year-old Blades Brown, making his professional debut on a sponsor exemption. After a rocky start that included a bogey and double-bogey, the high school junior from Nashville settled in with three straight birdies and finished with an even-par 72.

The American Express, one of just two remaining pro-ams on Tour, continues its desert tradition without World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler, who withdrew to rest a right hand injury.