Matti Schmid had a strong start at The American Express on the PGA Tour but a late setback pushed him down the leaderboard.
Matti Schmid started strong at The American Express tournament on the PGA Tour with a 67, 5 under par. However, a double bogey on the 18th hole caused him to drop to a tie for 51st place, just two strokes behind the top 20. Stephan Jäger scored 71, 1 under par, placing him at T118, while Sepp Straka shot a 72 and stands at T131. They will need significant improvements on Friday to make the cut. Leaders Min Woo Lee and Pierceson Coody sit at 10 under par, with a chasing group including Scottie Scheffler and Robert MacIntyre at 9 under par.
PGA Tour: Matti Schmid’s Outstanding Round Until the Final Hole
Playing under excellent conditions on the Nicklaus Tournament Course, Matti Schmid made an impressive start by driving close to the green and making a birdie on the first hole. He added two more birdies on the front nine at the par-5 4th and 7th holes, reaching 3 under par. His back nine was even better, with birdies on holes 10, 11, 16, and others, reaching 7 under par at one point. However, a dropped shot and bogey at the 15th followed by a crucial double bogey on the last hole dropped Schmid to a 67, finishing 5 under par and tied for 51st.
Stephan Jäger and Sepp Straka Fall Back
Stephan Jäger started poorly with bogey and double bogey on the back nine but recovered with birdies on holes 16, 18, 5, 8, and the last hole to finish 1 under par at T118. Sepp Straka, last year’s winner, played an even-par front nine but couldn’t capitalize with birdies. After birdies on holes 10 and 13, bogeys on 15 and a double bogey on 16 hurt his round, finishing even par at T131. Both players face a challenge to make the weekend cut.