La Quinta: India's Anirban Lahiri got off a fine start with a four-under 68 and was lying tied-15th after the first round of the American Express golf on Thursday.
Lahiri opened with a bogey but steadied himself to pick five birdies and finish with a solid round on a course that is more difficult of the two on which the PGA Tour tournament is being played.
Lahiri, 33, got off to a shaky start due to a few average shots.
"I did hit a few iron shots that kind of finished right where I wanted to hit them. But I kind of got it back later in the round," he said.
"I hit a lot of good shots but didn't really make a lot of birdie putt and then I got a couple of bonuses. I missed a really short foot on 14 and on 13 where I hit a really good birdie putt that kind of slipped out. Then I made that monster putt around 15, so kind of evened it out. I've been partying really good but I haven't really had a lot of luck from long range so it was nice to see one of the really big ones go in."
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Lahiri said that he was disappointed not to birdie the par fives on the front nine.
"But the stadium course is a tricky course. So, you know, if you can shoot in the 60s, that's definitely a solid on golf although I feel like I could have probably picked up two or three more shots that's how it is. I think if I keep doing what I'm doing I'll definitely keep making birdies and it's another week where you have to keep doing that. Tomorrow's a different golf course, Nicklaus Tournament, usually plays a short or a short and half easier than the Stadium Course," he said.
Brandon Hagy, a late replacement for Jon Rahm in the field, carded a 64, highlighted by 10 birdies, to take the lead. Korea's Byeong Hyun An got his New Year off to a near-perfect start by firing a 7-under 65 in the first round with seven birdies.
