Andrew Landry in third at American Express Championship

Published 12:00 am Saturday, January 18, 2020

What a difference one week has made on the PGA Tour for Andrew Landry.

Seven days after he badly missed the cut in the Sony Open with rounds of 77-76, the Port Neches-Groves ex is on fire in the American Express Championship. Landry followed an opening 66 with an eight-under-par 64 and stands outright third at 14-under-par 130.

Rickie Fowler and Scottie Scheffler share the lead at 129.

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Not only had Landry missed the cut last week at the Sony, he’d failed to make it to the weekend in seven of eight starts in the 2019-20 season. He’s been a different player in La Quinta, California, however, rolling in 15 birdies against a lone bogey

The 64 came at La Quinta Country Club, one of three courses used in the American Express. His 66 was fashioned Thursday over the PGA Stadium Course. He’ll play the Jack Nicklaus Course Saturday and should get plenty of TV time (Golf Channel 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.).

Chris Stroud, the other PN-G ex in the field, is tied for 82nd at 140 after back-to-back rounds of 70 over the Nicklaus and Stadium Courses.

Landry is obviously comfortable in La Quinta. Two years ago, when this tournament was known as the Career Builder Challenge, he led at the 36-hole-mark, was tied with Jon Rahm after 72 holes, then lost on the fourth hole of a sudden death playoff.

Tied for sixth after round one, Landry made his move with six birdies in an eight hole stretch from six through 13. He didn’t make his first bogey of the week until his 33rd hole – the par 3, 15th at La Quinta CC. He’s feasted on the par 5 holes, making seven birdies in eight chances.