Scheffler starts the new year with a 63. It allowed him to keep pace at The American Express

LA QUINTA, Calif. (AP) — The idea for Scottie Scheffler was to get a gauge on his game at The American Express, and all appeared to be in good working order Thursday. He made birdies on half of his holes for a 9-under 63 to join a parade of low scores that left him one shot out of the lead.

Min Woo Lee and Pierceson Coody led the way at 10-under 62 on the Nicklaus Tournament course at PGA West, the easiest of the three on the rotation. Scheffler played at La Quinta, where he didn’t miss a green until the 17th hole. He chipped that in for birdie.

“I think the hardest part about these tests where you have to shoot so low is you can only shoot so many under par in a round of golf,” Scheffler said. “The easier tests, where the scores are crazy low, if you start falling behind it’s a lot harder to keep up, so you have to keep pace out here.”

Jason Day had the most impressive round of the day with his 63 on the Stadium Course at PGA West, which averaged nearly four shots harder than the Nicklaus course and just over three shots harder than La Quinta.

But it was a solid start for so many of the 156 players — the largest domestic field of the year among regular PGA Tour events because of the three courses. They were treated to ideal conditions they expect in the California desert, with pleasant weather and barely a breath of wind.

Even with the new tech-infused TGL, weather like this has always made Palm Springs feel like playing indoors.

...