Sungjae Im leads Tony Finau, Francesco Molinari in running a package | Golf News

Sungjae Im has a one-shot win at The American Express; 2018 Ryder Cup star Francesco Molinari doubles off on a crowded board – watch the third round live Saturday from 8pm on Sky Sports Golf

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Tony Finau reflects on moving within sight of a half-way lead with a 66 second round at The American Express

Francesco Molinari showed signs that his game is getting back on track by moving within two shots of The American Express halfway lead.

Molinari made just seven starts in 2020 and is without a worldwide top-10 finish since scoring the Masters final in 2019, although the Italian got his 2021 record to start impressive at La Quinta to enter the weekend ahead nine under.

The world followed the No. 130 opening 69 on the Stadium Course with six under-66s on Friday’s Nicklaus Tournament Course, mixing eight birdies with a double bogey to sit tied seventh and close behind midfielder Sungjae Im.

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Francesco Molinari deals with making a strong start at the American Express and moving within two shots of the halfway lead in California.

“It was very good,” Molinari said. “There were a lot of birdies, it was a shame about the double at nine, but very hard otherwise. I’m putting in well and the greens are great on both courses, so I’m looking forward to it. the weekend. “

Molinari sent four birdies straight from the fifth before knocking out a double bogey at the ninth by making four wins in a five-hole stretch from the 11th and tuning clutch putts for par over the final two holes.

I’m on top of a crowded board after 65 without a bogey on the Stadium Course, with overnight director Brandon Hagy – a late entry into the event after Jon Rahm pulled out of the tournament – view from the distance with Nick Taylor, Abraham Ancer, Si Woo Kim and Tony Finau.

“I put it out nicely,” Finau said. “I got away with two drivers, which is really big, just to move around a round. I was able to turn those bad drivers into good holes and just move that through the day.”

Tony Finau is still looking for a second PGA Tour title

Paul Casey sits in the group four off the lead thanks to a 65-year-old softball on the Stadium Course and Rickie Fowler fought through after six-under-66, with just seven strokes separating all the players made it through to the weekend.

Phil Mickelson missed the cut after accumulating 18 pars in a round for the first time in his PGA Tour career, while Patrick Reed and four-time main champion Brooks Koepka suffered an early outing as well.

Watch the American Express during the week live on Sky Sports. Live coverage continues Saturday from 8pm on Sky Sports Golf and 10.30pm on the Sky Sports Main Event.