LEE HODGES

Max Homa is leading the Genesis Invitational.

Taylor Pendrith of Canada shot a 7-under 65 on Friday to take a one-shot lead over Tony Finau into the weekend in the Rocket Mortgage Classic.

Tony Finau, coming off his third career victory on the PGA Tour, and Taylor Pendrith shared the first-round lead at 8-under 64 on Thursday in the Rocket Mortgage Classic.

Sepp Straka is going back to Georgia in a few weeks.

Swafford beat Tom Hoge by two strokes on PGA West’s Stadium Course after beginning the day three strokes behind rookies Lee Hodges and Paul Barjon. Tied for the lead with fellow former Georgia player Brian Harman and Francesco Molinari at 20 under, Swafford pulled ahead with the eagle on the par-5 16th. Swafford then ran in a 20-foot birdie putt on 17, a par-3 hole called Alcatraz with an island green ringed by jagged rocks. The 34-year-old finished at 23-under 265 in the three-course event for his third PGA Tour title. He followed a three-putt bogey on the par-3 13th with a birdie on the par-4 14th for a two-stroke lead.

Hudson Swafford won The American Express for the second time in five years Sunday, breaking a late tie with an eagle in an 8-under 64.

“Generally, I would say it’s better to be here,” Hoge said about tree-lined La Quinta. Swafford birdied four of his last five holes on the Stadium Course, the site of the final round. I mean the wind, I’m not going to say it’s laid down, but it was blowing early pretty good.”Griffin had a 69 at La Quinta. Cantlay, a stroke ahead entering the day, had an even-par 72 on Stadium Course to drop four strokes back. Defending champion Kim was 11 under after a 69 on the Stadium Course.

Lee Hodges and Paul Barjon took advantage of a late tee time Saturday to share the third-round lead in The American Express.

Patrick Cantlay fought through gusting wind on his back nine to take a one-stroke lead into the weekend at The American Express.

American Express Golf Patrick Cantlay hits from the third tee during the first round of the American Express golf tournament at La Quinta Country Club, Thursday, Jan. 20, 2022, in La Quinta, Calif. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez) (Marcio Jose Sanchez)LA QUINTA, Calif. — (AP) — Patrick Cantlay shot a 10-under 62 in perfect weather and turf conditions Thursday at La Quinta Country Club for a share of the first-round lead with rookie Lee Hodges in The American Express. Cantlay played the first seven holes in 7 under, making an eagle on the par-5 sixth and five birdies. I thought I did everything well and it’s a golf course I really like. The former Alabama star played the back nine at La Quinta in 7-under 29, eagling the par-5 fifth and making five birdies. Top-ranked Jon Rahm and Graeme McDowell were in the group at 66, both playing at La Quinta.

Patrick Cantlay shot a 10-under 62 in perfect conditions at La Quinta Country Club for a share of the first-round lead with rookie Lee Hodges in The American Express.

He has not made it to the Tour Championship since 2017, the year of his last victory. CLUTCH PARFormer Masters champion Charl Schwartzel had reason to celebrate on Friday without ever being in the hunt at the PGA Championship. That got the attention of the PGA of America, which gave him an exemption into the PGA Championship. The LOCALiQ Series for players on the Canadian, China and Latin America circuits for the PGA Tour now has a conclusion. STAT OF THE WEEKIn the last five years of the PGA Championship, players have posted all four rounds in the 60s without winning 16 times.