LA QUINTA, Calif. – USC freshman Charlie Reiter missed the Desert Classic’s cut by a shot, but he made some history before departing from his hometown event. Reiter shot 63 to set the tournament course record at PGA West’s Stadium Course. It’s also believed to be the second-lowest round by an amateur in TOUR history. Only Patrick Cantlay’s 60 in the 2011 Travelers Championship was lower. Reiter played his first 36 holes this week in 1 over par but made eight birdies and an eagle Saturday (as well as one bogey). He hit a 227-yard 5-iron to 12 feet to make 3 on the Stadium Course’s par-5 fifth hole. “I was just trying to make as many birdies as I could,� Reiter said. “Every time I made a birdie, I was just trying to make one more and get closer and closer to the cut.� He finished at 8-under 208 (75-70-63). This is the second consecutive year that Reiter, an alum of nearby Palm Desert High, has played the Desert Classic. A 77 on the Stadium Course last year ended his chances of making the 54-hole cut. He started the third round in 67th place. He shot 215 (68-70-77) last year. Reiter, 19, led the field in driving distance this week, averaging 319 yards per tee shot. He is 69th in Golfweek’s individual college rankings. He has already made the cut in one pro event, finishing T65 at the 2017 Australian Open. He earned a spot in that event by winning a junior tournament supported by PGA TOUR player Aaron Baddeley.
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