Hoey sizzles with solid 63, trails by one in American Express golf tilt

MANILA, Philippines – Filipino PGA Tour rookie Rico Hoey, who missed the cut in the Sony Open in Hawaii last week, put himself in strong contention after 18 holes of the American Express. He scorched the Nicklaus Tournament course with a solid nine-under 63 to trail American Zach Johnson and Swede Alex Noren by just one stroke in La Quinta, California Thursday (Friday Manila time).

The 28-year-old former Junior World champion, who secured his Tour card by placing fourth in the 2023 Korn Ferry Tour season rankings highlighted by a victory in the Knoxville Open, flourished in a backside start in one of the three desert courses he’s very familiar with, birdying four of the last six holes, including the last two.

He made it three straight with another birdie on No. 1 then closed out his remarkable stint with a stirring four-birdie binge from No. 4 to find himself among the frontrunners at joint third in the $8.4 million event with South African Christiaan Bezuidenhout, who matched Hoey’s nine-birdie blast at the La Quinta layout.

Johnson and Noren also both sizzled at La Quinta with the former firing a bogey-free 10-under 62 spiked by a six-birdie roll from No. 4 for a 29-33 card and the latter exploding early at the back with birdies in the first three holes and an eagle on the par-5 No. 13.

Noren sustained his assault and netted birdies on Nos. 15 and 16, stumbled with a double bogey on No. 17 but birdied four of the last five holes at the front to earn a share of the early lead with a pair of 31s.

Despite narrowly missing the chance to share the lead after flubbing a short putt on No. 9, Hoey expressed enthusiasm for playing in front of family and friends.

“It was kind of cool having everyone out here. My family, my dad, girlfriend coaches, everyone,” said Hoey, a Rancho Cucamonga High alum in an interview with the Orange County Register.

Born in the Philippines but raised in Rancho Cucamonga, California, Hoey reminisced about spending time on desert courses, including the Nicklaus tournament layout, during his junior golf days in Southern California.

“I played out here a handful of times and all the other tracks as well,” said Hoey. “It’s a little bit nicer. I