Thomson equals PGA eagle record at American Express

Davis Thompson and Jon Rahm have pulled clear of the rest of the field at the halfway point of the American Express at La Quinta.

Thompson, the overnight leader, and 2021 US Open champion Rahm went blow-for-blow on Friday with superb rounds of 64 to leave themselves on 18-under and 16-under respectively.

World 169 Thompson has posted a remarkable five eagles over the opening 36 holes, including three on Friday, equalling the overall record for PGA Tour eagles with two rounds to spare.

Justin Rose recently became the seventh player to register five eagles across 72 holes at the 2022 RBC Canadian Open.

Davis Thompson has made five eagles through two rounds at The American Express, tying the most eagles made in a 72-hole event on record (1983-present). Thompson is the seventh player in that span to accomplish the feat (most recent: Justin Rose, 2022 RBC Canadian Open).

Beginning on the back nine, Thomspon eagled the par-5 11th, birdieing the next par-5 at the 14th before an irksome bogey on 16.

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However, on another day of low scoring, he cut loose on the inward nine, with three birdies and two eagles between the 3rd and 7th.

Rahm plotted a more sedate route to his 64 with eight birdies and no dropped shots. The Spaniard is three shots clear of the chasing pack, the group on 13-under including Sungjae Im, Jason Day, Tyler Duncan, J.T Poston and South Korea's Tom Kim, who struck 62 on Day 2.