LA QUINTA, Calif. – Two-time American Express winner Bill Haas rallied for a 4-under 68 on the Nicklaus Course at PGA West on Friday, but it is easy to understand how Haas had other things on his mind.
Haas is the grand-nephew of former Masters champion Bob Goalby, who died Thursday at the age of 92. Haas said he learned of the passing of “Uncle Bob” on Thursday in a text message for family and friends.
“He had a cool life. My dad (past American Express winner Jay Haas) and I texted. He’s upset. Uncle Bob was the man, someone I really looked up to.”
Haas said he wasn’t directly a student of his great uncle, but that everything Goalby taught his nephew Jay Haas eventually filtered down to the younger Haas.
Goalby was a part-time desert resident, but Haas said his great uncle hasn’t spent much time in the desert in the last two years. Before that, Goalby would make trips to The American Express to watch the younger Haas play.
Phil Mickelson walks to the 16th hole during the second round of The American Express at the Jack Nicklaus Tournament Course at PGA West on January 21, 2022, in La Quinta, California. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
Mickelson still well back
Tournament host Phil Mickelson needed a low score Friday at the Nicklaus Tournament Course to give himself a chance at the 54-hole cut after Saturday. But that round never materialized for the two-time desert winner.
Mickelson had three bogeys and a double bogey in a round of 73, leaving him at 7-over 151 for 36 holes and with no legitimate chance to make the cut after Saturday’s round. The week appears to be Mickelson’s third consecutive missed cut in a tournament he won twice in 2002 and 2004 and where he was second in 2019.
Desert convert
Graeme McDowell joked that he and his caddie looked at each other and wondered why it has taken McDowell so long to play in the American Express.
“Obviously, the weather is perfect and these golf courses are so well presented, and it’s the place to…
Source : yahoo
