Dean Burmester started his 2023 PGA Tour campaign off in style with a seven-under-par 65 on Thursday in the first round of the PGA Tour’s American Express in La Quinta, California on the Stadium Course at PGA West.

Burmester, who earned his PGA Tour playing privileges through the Korn Ferry Tour Play-Offs last year, took advantage of the kind of course set-up he’s going to frequently find on the PGA Tour to make an eagle, seven birdies and two bogeys. That put him in a share of seventh after 18 holes, three shots behind the leader Davis Thompson of the United States.

Thompson, who played at La Quinta Country Club, led by two from five players, including Jon Rahm, who also played on La Quinta, with Burmester and eight other players, including Erik van Rooyen, who played on the Stadium Course, in a share of seventh on seven-under.

The tournament is played on three courses, the La Quinta Country Club and the Stadium Course and the Nicklaus Tournament Course at PGA West. The cut will be made when all players have played all three courses after the third round.

Van Rooyen looked to be well on track in his return after his injury last year, and he made eight birdies and one bogey in a solid showing.

Garrick Higgo also looked to have benefited from his end-of-year break back in South Africa, carding a five-under-par 67 with seven birdies on the Stadium Course. Christiaan Bezuidenhout had a four-under 68 on the Stadium Course, and MJ Daffue recorded his 68 at La Quinta.

Dylan Frittelli battled his way to a two-over 74 at La Quinta, and Rory Sabbatini carded the same score at the Stadium Course.