2026 American Express Fantasy and Betting Preview: Key Stats, Course Breakdown, Tournament Trends, TV Times, and More

January 19, 2026

2026 American Express betting and fantasy golf preview with key stats, PGA West course breakdown, field analysis, and TV times for this week’s PGA TOUR event.

The PGA TOUR heads to La Quinta, California, this week for The American Express, marking the start of the California Swing, with four of the next five events taking place in the Golden State. The American Express is the first multi-course event of the season, with players rotating between three venues from Thursday through Saturday: the PGA West Pete Dye Stadium Course, the PGA West Nicklaus Tournament Course, and La Quinta Country Club. Following Saturday’s round, the field will be cut, and those who advance will play the final round on Sunday at the PGA West Pete Dye Stadium Course.

With The Sentry not being held this season, a Signature Event, this week’s tournament features the strongest field it has ever seen. World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler will make his season debut, joined by eight other players ranked inside the top 20 in the world.

For those who have followed my work in the past, you know my betting picks are usually included within this article. This year will be a little different, as my official plays will be part of our RotoBaller PGA Premium offerings. To get access to my top plays throughout the 2026 season, check out our awesome options now. If you are new here, the purpose of this preview is to provide a complete breakdown of everything you need to know about this week’s event. From course details and key statistics to historical trends and field insights, this article is designed to serve as a guide or at least a strong starting point as you build your betting card or DFS lineups. With plenty of opportunity on the board, let’s dive into the 2026 American Express and get you fully prepared for the second week of the PGA TOUR season.

Tournament Information

• Dates: January 22nd – January 25th, 2025
• Location: La Quinta, California, United States
• Course: PGA West Pete Dye Stadium Course, PGA West Nicklaus Tournament Course, La Quinta Country Club
• Format: 72-hole stroke play
  • Thursday-Saturday: 3 Course Rotation
    • PGA West Pete Dye Stadium Course
    • PGA West Nicklaus Tournament Course
    • La Quinta Country Club
  • Sunday: PGA West Stadium Course
• Purse/ Winner: $9,200,000/$1,656,000
• FedEx Cup Points: 500
• Field: 156 Players
• Cut: Top 65 and Ties – 54 Holes
• Playoff Format: Sudden Death – 18 repeated
• Historic Cut Line:
• 2025: -9
• 2024: -13
• 2023: -10

PGA West Pete Dye Stadium Course Information

• Par: 72 (4x 3’s / 10x 4’s / 4x 5’s)
• Length: 7,210 Yards
• Greens: TifDwarf Bermudagrass with Poa overseed .115”
• Fairways: Ryegrass overseed .375”
• Overseeded Rough: 1.5”
• Non-overseeded Rough: Tifgreen 328 Bermuda 2”
• Bunkers: 90-plus
• Water Hazard(s): — (In-Play on 8 Holes)
• Average Green Size: 7,000 sq. ft.
• Stimpmeter: 11 ft.
• Course Scoring Average:
  • 2025: 71.35 (-0.65), Rank 19 of 50
  • 2024: 69.15 (-3.86), Rank 48 of 51
  • 2023: 69.20 (-2.80), Rank 47 of 49

Course Architect:

• Course Architect: Pete Dye (1986)
• Renovations: N/A

Comparable Courses:

• TPC Sawgrass – THE PLAYERS Championship – RESULTS
• TPC Scottsdale – WM Phoenix Open – RESULTS
• TPC Summerlin – Shriners Children’s Open – RESULTS

Comparable Location (La Quinta, California):

• Torrey Pines Golf Course – San Diego, California – Farmers Insurance Open
• Pebble Beach Golf Links – Pebble Beach, California – AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am
• The Riviera Country Club – Pacific Palisades, California – The Genesis Invitational
• Silverado Resort and Spa – Napa, California – Procore Championship

Designer Link (Pete Dye):

• TPC Sawgrass (Stadium Course) – Pete Dye (1980) – THE PLAYERS Championship
• Harbour Town Golf Links – Pete Dye (1969) – RBC Heritage
• TPC Louisiana – Pete Dye (2004) – Zurich Classic of New Orleans
• TPC River Highlands – Pete Dye (1982) – Travelers Championship

Comparable Yardage (7,210 Yards):

• Harbour Town Golf Links – 7,213 Yards – RBC Heritage

Comparable Greens (TifDwarf Bermudagrass with Poa overseed .115”):

• TPC Sawgrass (THE PLAYERS Stadium Course) – TifEagle bermudagrass / Poa trivialis overseed .100” – THE PLAYERS Championship
• Innisbrook Resort (Copperhead Course) – TifEagle bermuda overseeded with Poa Trivialis .120” – Valspar Championship
• Memorial Park Golf Course – MiniVerde bermudagrass .100” w/ Poa trivialis overseed .110” – Texas Children's Houston Open
• Harbour Town Golf Links – Bermuda w/ Poa trivialis overseed .115” – RBC Heritage
• TPC Louisiana – TifEagle bermuda w/ Poa trivialis overseed .100” – Zurich Classic of New Orleans
• Quail Hollow Club – Champion G12 bermudagrass overseeded with Poa trivialis .125” – Truist Championship

Comparable Average Green Size (7,000 sq. ft.):

• PGA WEST (Nicklaus Tournament Course) – 7, 000 sq. ft. – The American Express
• Vidanta Vallarta – 7, 000 sq. ft. – Mexico Open at Vidanta
• Memorial Park Golf Course – 7, 000 sq. ft. – Texas Children’s Houston Open
• The Renaissance Club – 7, 000 sq. ft. – Genesis Scottish Open

Jack Nicklaus Tournament Course Information

• Par: 72 (4x 3’s / 10x 4’s / 4x 5’s)
• Length: 7,147 Yards
• Greens: TifEagle Bermudagrass with Poa overseed .115”
• Fairways: Ryegrass overseed .375”
• Overseeded Rough: 1.5”
• Non-overseeded Rough: Tifgreen 328 Bermuda 2”
• Bunkers: 90-plus
• Water Hazard(s): — (In-Play on 6 Holes)
• Average Green Size: 5,500 sq. ft.
• Stimpmeter: 10.5 ft.
• Course Scoring Average:
  • 2025: 68.25 (-3.75), Rank 48 of 50
  • 2024: 68.09 (-3.91), Rank 49 of 51
  • 2023: 68.73 (-3.27), Rank 48 of 49

Course Architect:

• Course Architect: Jack Nicklaus (1987)
• Renovations: Fall 2025 featured a greenside and fairway bunker renovation with new sand, liners, and drainage added. There were no new bunkers added or bunkers removed.

Comparable Courses:

• Summit Club – 2021 CJ Cup – RESULTS
• TPC Scottsdale – WM Phoenix Open – RESULTS
• TPC Summerlin – Shriners Children’s Open – RESULTS

Comparable Location (La Quinta, California):

• Torrey Pines Golf Course – San Diego, California – Farmers Insurance Open
• Pebble Beach Golf Links – Pebble Beach, California – AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am
• The Riviera Country Club – Pacific Palisades, California – The Genesis Invitational
• Silverado Resort and Spa – Napa, California – Procore Championship

Designer Link (Jack Nicklaus):

• Muirfield Village Golf Club – Jack Nicklaus (1974) – the Memorial Tournament
• Tahoe Mountain Club (Old Greenwood) – Jack Nicklaus (2004) – Barracuda Championship
• Castle Pines Golf Club – Jack Nicklaus (1981) – 2024 BMW Championship
• PGA National (The Champion) – Jack Nicklaus Renovation (2002, 14, 18) – Cognizant Classic in the Palm Beaches

Comparable Yardage (7,147 Yards):

• Silverado Resort and Spa (North Course) – 7,123 Yards – Procore Championship
• Sedgefield Country Club – 7,131 yards – Wyndham Championship

Comparable Greens (TifDwarf Bermudagrass with Poa overseed .115”):

• TPC Sawgrass (THE PLAYERS Stadium Course) – TifEagle bermudagrass / Poa trivialis overseed .100” – THE PLAYERS Championship
• Innisbrook Resort (Copperhead Course) – TifEagle bermuda overseeded with Poa Trivialis .120” – Valspar Championship
• Memorial Park Golf Course – MiniVerde bermudagrass .100” w/ Poa trivialis overseed .110” – Texas Children's Houston Open
• Harbour Town Golf Links – Bermuda w/ Poa trivialis overseed .115” – RBC Heritage
• TPC Louisiana – TifEagle bermuda w/ Poa trivialis overseed .100” – Zurich Classic of New Orleans
• Quail Hollow Club – Champion G12 bermudagrass overseeded with Poa trivialis .125” – Truist Championship

Comparable Average Green Size (5,500 sq. ft.):

• TPC Deere Run – 5,500 sq. ft. – John Deere Classic
• TPC Sawgrass (THE PLAYERS Stadium Course) – 5,500 sq. ft. – THE PLAYERS Championship

La Quinta Country Club Course Information

• Par: 72 (4x 3’s / 10x 4’s / 4x 5’s)
• Length: 7,060 Yards
• Greens: TifDwarf Bermudagrass with Poa trivialis/ryegrass overseed .105”
• Fairways: Ryegrass overseed .400”
• Rough: Ryegrass overseed 1.75”
• Bunkers: 82
• Water Hazard(s): 5 lakes (In-Play on 7 Holes)
• Average Green Size: 4,773 sq. ft.
• Stimpmeter: 11.5 ft.
• Course Scoring Average:
  • 2025: 68.60 (-3.40), Rank 47 of 50
  • 2024: 67.91 (-4.09), Rank 50 of 51
  • 2023: 69.58 (-2.46), Rank 46 of 49

Course Architect:

• Course Architect: Lawrence Hughes (1959)
• Renovations: Damian Pascuzzo (1999)

Comparable Courses:

• TPC Summerlin – Shriners Children’s Open – RESULTS
• AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am – Pebble Beach Golf Links – RESULTS

Comparable Location (La Quinta, California):

• Torrey Pines Golf Course – San Diego, California – Farmers Insurance Open
• Pebble Beach Golf Links – Pebble Beach, California – AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am
• The Riviera Country Club – Pacific Palisades, California – The Genesis Invitational
• Silverado Resort and Spa – Napa, California – Procore Championship

Comparable Yardage (7,050 Yards):

• Sea Island Golf Club (Plantation Course) – 7,060 Yards – The RSM Classic
• Hurstbourne Country Club – 7,056 Yards – ISCO Championship
• Waialae Country Club – 7,044 Yards – Sony Open in Hawaii
• Spyglass Hill Golf Course – 7,041 Yards – AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am

Comparable Greens (TifDwarf Bermudagrass with Poa trivialis/ryegrass overseed .105”):

• TPC Scottsdale (Stadium Course) – TifEagle bermuda os/w Poa Trivialis / perennial ryegrass .100” – WM Phoenix Open

Comparable Average Green Size (4,773 sq. ft.):

• Albany – 4,500 sq. ft. – Hero World Challenge
• Spyglass Hill Golf Course – 5,000 sq. ft. – AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am
• Colonial Country Club – 5,000 sq. ft. – Charles Schwab Challenge
• Muirfield Village Golf Club – 5,000 sq. ft. – the Memorial Tournament
• TPC River Highlands – 5,000 sq. ft. – Travelers Championship
• Torrey Pines Golf Course (South Course) – 5,000 sq. ft. – Farmers Insurance Open

TV Information (all times ET)

• Round 1: Thursday, January 22nd, 2026
  • ESPN + (PGA TOUR Live) – 11:30 AM – 4:00 PM
  • Golf Channel – 4:00 PM – 7:00 PM
• Round 2: Friday, January 23rd, 2026
  • ESPN + (PGA TOUR Live) – 11:30 AM – 4:00 PM
  • Golf Channel – 4:00 PM – 7:00 PM
• Round 3: Saturday, January 24th, 2026
  • ESPN + (PGA TOUR Live) – 11:30 AM – 4:00 PM
  • Golf Channel – 4:00 PM – 7:00 PM
• Round 4: Sunday, January 25th, 2026
  • ESPN + (PGA TOUR Live) – 11:30 AM – 4:00 PM
  • Golf Channel – 4:00 PM – 7:00 PM

Course/ Tournament History

The American Express golf tournament, originally known as the Palm Springs Golf Classic, is one of the most historic and unique events on the PGA Tour. Established in 1960 to promote tourism in the Coachella Valley, the tournament quickly gained prominence due to its pro-am format, where Hollywood celebrities were paired with professional golfers. Played across several pristine courses in the Palm Springs area, the event became a star-studded celebration of golf. Over the years, it has undergone several name changes to reflect its sponsors, most notably the Bob Hope Desert Classic, a name synonymous with the tournament for decades due to Bob Hope’s long-standing association.

The tournament’s 3-course rotation is a defining characteristic, providing a unique challenge for participants. Players rotate between the PGA West Pete Dye Stadium Course, the PGA West Jack Nicklaus Tournament Course, and La Quinta Country Club during the first three days. The PGA West complex hosts three of the four rounds, with the Stadium and Nicklaus Tournament Courses situated on-site. La Quinta Country Club, located about five miles from the complex, serves as the third course and requires the only travel for players during the event. This rotation adds diversity and showcases the distinct features of each course.

Another distinctive feature of The American Express is the pro-am structure, where each professional is paired with an amateur for the first three rounds. Groups consist of two pros and two amateurs, creating a dynamic and inclusive atmosphere. To accommodate the amateurs, pin placements are typically in easier positions during the first three days, and rounds can extend to six hours. Additionally, the tournament’s cut is made after 54 holes rather than the standard 36, reflecting the three-course rotation.

Previous Tournament Venues:

Previous Tournament Names:

Tournament Records:

• 72-Hole Record (The American Express):
  • 259, Nick Dunlap (2024)
• 18-Hole Record (The American Express):
  • 59, David Duval (Round 5, 1999 at PGA WEST/Palmer), Adam Hadwin (Round 3, 2017 at La Quinta CC)

• Largest Margin of Victory (The American Express):
  • 6 Strokes, Tom Kite (1993), Rik Massengale (1977)

• Most Wins at Event:
  • 5 – Arnold Palmer (1960, 1962, 1968, 1971, 1973)

Course Records:

• 18-Hole Record (PGA West Pete Dye Stadium Course):
  • 61, Patrick Cantlay (Round 4, 2021)
• 18-Hole Record (PGA West Nicklaus Tournament Course):
  • 61, Will Zalatoris (Round 2, 2022), Sam Burns (Round 2, 2024)
• 18-Hole Record (La Quinta Country Club):
  • 59, Adam Hadwin (Round 3, 2017 at La Quinta CC)

PGA West Pete Dye Stadium Course Guide/ Scorecard

Notable Par 3s

The four Par 3s on the Pete Dye Stadium Course at PGA West range from 165 to 227 yards, placing a premium on precision and smart club selection. In last year’s American Express, every Par 3 had a scoring average over par except No. 4.

Hole 6 | Par 3 | 227 Yards | 2025 Stroke Average: 3.22 (Difficulty Rank – 3)

One of the more intimidating holes on the course, however, there is a bailout area left and the green is large enough to receive just about any club you choose to hit here.

Hole 17 | Par 3 | 165 Yards | 2025 Stroke Average: 3.04 (Difficulty Rank – 8)

Alcatraz is our signature hole at the Pete Dye Stadium Course. A precise tee shot here is a must into this island green which is surrounded by imposing boulders and a treacherous water hazard.

Notable Par 4s

The Pete Dye Stadium Course at PGA West features ten par 4s, most of which are listed between 450-500 yards. Strategy plays a major role, particularly on holes that offer tempting risk-reward opportunities. In 2025, half of the par 4s had a scoring average over par (No. 3, No. 9, No. 10, No. 15, and No. 18).

Hole 7 | Par 4 | 346 Yards | 2025 Stroke Average:  3.96 (Difficulty Rank – 9)

This may be the shortest par-4 on the course but this hole requires a very precise drive. There is a water hazard that runs down the entire right side and the bailout area left is no bargain. If you are lucky enough to hit the fairway you will be left with a short iron into the green.

Hole 18 | Par 4 | 439 Yards | 2025 Stroke Average: 4.225 (Difficulty Rank – 2)

One of the more intimidating drives on the course with water down the entire left side of the hole. You will need to favor the right side and try to avoid the bunkers. Your approach shot into this green has no bail out on the left and water that comes into play and bunkers that protect the front right.

Notable Par 5s

There are four Par 5’s on the course: No. 5, No. 8, No. 11, and No. 16. All of these holes had a scoring average under par in 2025, with  No. 8 being the easiest hole on the course last year.

Hole 5 | Par 5 | 535 Yards | 2025 Stroke Average: 4.771  (Difficulty Rank – 16)

This par-5 is a true risk-reward hole that requires a drive that avoids the water down the left side. Laying up here is no easy feat as you need to favor the left side to stay out of the water on the right.

Hole 16 | Par 5 | 600Yards | 2025 Stroke Average: 4.921 (Difficulty Rank – 12)

Avoid the bunker down the left off the tee. If you have a chance to go for the green you will need to keep your second shot down the right as the bunker that is greenside is approx. 20 feet deep. Getting out of this bunker could take some time. Laying up is always the suggested play as a short iron into this green should set you up nicely.

Featured/ Signature Hole(s): 17
 

PGA West Jack Nicklaus Tournament Course Guide/ Scorecard

 

Notable Par 3s

The four Par 3s on the Jack Nicklaus Tournament Course at PGA West range from 165 to 209 yards, placing a premium on precision and smart club selection.

Hole 8 | ' Lilly Pad' | Par 3 | 172 Yards 

A beautiful semi-island green that has no room for shots that come up a little short. Aiming at the middle of this green is always the best option, no matter where the pin location is for the day.

Hole 12 | ' Fatal Attraction' | Par 3 | 165 Yards 

The center of the green is always the best spot to aim on this hole. Miss this green to the right or short left in the bunker and you will be left with a nearly impossible up and down.

Notable Par 4s

The Jack Nicklaus Tournament Course at PGA West features ten par 4s, most of which are listed between 400-450 yards. Strategy plays a major role, particularly on holes that offer tempting risk-reward opportunities.

Hole 9 | ' Jack’s Revenge' | Par 4 | 461 Yards 

Try to favor the left side of this fairway as a shot down the right could leave you with a blind second shot. The green is well guarded by a large water hazard, so choosing the correct club here is a must. You can bail out a little right if needed.

Hole 18 | 'Bear Trap' | Par 4 | 431 Yards 

It is hard to find a more beautiful finishing hole than this one. Your tee shot plays back to the clubhouse and will need to avoid the fairway bunker and water hazard down the right side. You will have a second shot that will require a mid to long iron and will need to have enough carry to get over the bunker that guards the front of the green. The green slopes severely from back to front and from left to right.

Notable Par 5s

There are four Par 5’s on the course: No. 4, No. 7, No. 11, and No. 15. All of these holes had a scoring average under par in 2025, with  No. 7 and No. 11 being the easiest holes on the course last year.

Hole 11 | 'Moguls' | Par 5 | 528 Yards 

Aim to the right of the moguls on the left side of the fairway to set up the best view of this green for your second shot. The layup shot is crucial here as you need to decide whether to lay up short of the fairway bunker or take on the carry to set up a short pitch into the green. Make sure to avoid the left side of the green at all costs as it falls off severely and leaves an almost impossible up and down.

Hole 15 | 'Long Island' | Par 5 | 572 Yards 

One of the more scenic driving holes that requires a straight drive that avoids the deep fairway bunker off the tee. Keeping your lay-up shot down the right is a must and will leave you an approach shot that will need to carry the water hazard onto an island green.

Featured/ Signature Hole(s): 8
 

La Quinta Country Club Course Guide/ Scorecard

 

Notable Par 3s

The four Par 3s at La Quinta Country Club range from 168 to 206 yards, placing a premium on precision and smart club selection. In last year’s American Express, two of the four Par 3 had a scoring average over par (No. 3 and No. 12).

Hole 3 | Par 3 | 202 Yards | 2025 Stroke Average: 3.077 (Difficulty Rank – 4)

This picturesque par three features water and bunkers on the left. The proper club selection is required for a good position on this two-tiered green. If the green is missed on the right side there is a great opportunity to get up and down for par.

Hole 7 | Par 3 | 168 Yards | 2025 Stroke Average: 2.858 (Difficulty Rank – 9)

This beautiful par three has a large bunker on the left side of the green as well as a waterfall on the right, which empties into a small lake at the front of the green. Don’t let its beauty or its short yardage distract you. You must hit a great shot to score on this hole.

Notable Par 4s

La Quinta Country Club features ten par 4s, most of which are listed between 350-450 yards. Strategy plays a major role, particularly on holes that offer tempting risk-reward opportunities. In 2025, only two par 4s had a scoring average over par, No. 2 and No. 14.

Hole 10 | Par 4 | 405 Yards | 2025 Stroke Average:  4.00 (Difficulty Rank – 5)

The back nine starts off with a short dogleg left. It’s best not to cheat the corner due to the large eucalyptus and mesquite trees on the left. By using the aiming bunker on the far, right side of the dogleg, the player will set up a perfect approach to the green. The fairway slopes from right to left from the turning point all the way to the green. This will help the ball feed into the proper positions on the fairway as well as on the green.

Hole 18 | Par 4 | 412 Yards | 2025 Stroke Average: 3.903 (Difficulty Rank – 8)

Eighteen’s beauty begins at the tee box with a full view of the fairway, lake, clubhouse, and a backdrop of the Santa Rosa Mountains. Avoiding the water left off the tee and again for the approach shot near the green are the challenges on this great finishing hole. The right side is framed with a lone fairway bunker and a series of greenside bunkers.

Notable Par 5s

There are four Par 5’s on the course: No. 5, No. 6, No. 11, and No. 13. All of these holes had a scoring average under par in 2025. No. 6 was the easiest hole on the course last year, with a scoring average of 0.703 below par.

Hole 5 | Par 5 | 516 Yards | 2025 Stroke Average:  4.342 (Difficulty Rank – 17)

The first par five rewards a long drive aimed at the bunkers on the left side of the fairway. There is an opportunity to reach this green in two. However, there is only a small opening in front of the green where the ball can enter. For the player who wishes to lay up, the shot should favor the left side deep down the fairway. This will leave the player with a short pitch and a chance to make a birdie.

Hole 11 | Par 5 | 543 Yards | 2025 Stroke Average: 4.407 (Difficulty Rank – 16)

Eleven is a par five that plays like the letter “s”. A good tee shot should finish just to the right of the left fairway bunker. This will set up an opportunity to carry the fairway bunker, which guards the green, and possibly run the ball up on the green. If the player elects to lay up, the best landing area is left of the fairway bunker. From this point, the approach shot must finish on the correct level of the three-tiered green to capture a birdie.

Featured/ Signature Hole(s): 18

The three possible course rotations will be as follows:

• R1: PGA West Stadium -> R2: La Quinta -> R3: Nicklaus Tournament
• R1: La Quinta -> R2: Nicklaus Tournament -> R3: PGA West Stadium
• R1: Nicklaus Tournament -> R2: PGA West Stadium -> R3: La Quinta

Key Statistics

As the American Express returns to PGA West / La Quinta Country Club, understanding how these courses compare to PGA TOUR averages can help identify which players are best suited for success. Here’s how PGA West (Dye Stadium and Nicklaus Courses) / La Quinta Country Club stack up statistically:

Strokes Gained: Off the Tee

• Success this week will hinge on players’ ability to position themselves effectively off the tee.
  • Leaders in SG: Off the Tee (Last 24 Rounds):
    • Pierceson Coody
    • Scottie Scheffler
    • Rico Hoey
    • Chun-an Yu
    • Adam Scott
    • Davis Thompson
    • Jesper Svensson
    • Jordan L Smith
    • Patrick Rodgers
    • Daniel Berger

Strokes Gained: Approach

• Approach play continues to be one of the most reliable indicators of success at PGA West  / La Quinta Country Club. With low scores typically winning the event (e.g., -20 or better), players must hit their approach shots close to the pins to set up birdie opportunities.
  • Leaders in SG: Approach (Last 24 Rounds):
    • Scottie Scheffler
    • Rico Hoey
    • Michael Thorbjornsen
    • Kurt Kitayama
    • Russell Henley
    • Ben Griffin
    • Austin Smotherman
    • Ryan Gerard
    • McClure (Mac) Meissner
    • Akshay Bhatia

Strokes Gained: Putting (Bermudagrass, Poa)

• The green complexes at PGA West’s Pete Dye Stadium Course and PGA West Nicklaus Tournament Course are TifEagle Bermudagrass with Poa overseed .115”. At La Quinta Country Club the green complexes are TifDwarf Bermudagrass with Poa trivialis/ryegrass overseed .105”.
  • Leaders in SG: Putting (Bermudagrass, Poa) (Last 24 Rounds):
    • Harry Hall
    • Taylor Montgomery
    • Chandler Phillips
    • Denny McCarthy
    • Robert Macintyre
    • Min Woo Lee
    • Matthias Schmid
    • Gary Woodland
    • Seonghyeon Kim
    • Max Greyserman

Par 3 Scoring

• On the Pete Dye Stadium Course, the par 3s are notoriously challenging and tend to play closer to par. In contrast, at La Quinta and the Nicklaus Tournament Course, players often score below par on the par 3s, capitalizing on their more forgiving layouts. While par 5s are typically the primary source of birdies, the par 3s present key scoring opportunities that can help players separate themselves from the field. With a low cut line around -10, minimizing mistakes on par 3s is crucial. Bogeys or worse on these holes can quickly disrupt momentum in such a low-scoring event.
  • Leaders in Par 3 Scoring (Last 24 Rounds):
    • Taylor Montgomery
    • Matthew Fitzpatrick
    • Scottie Scheffler
    • Sam Ryder
    • Austin Eckroat
    • Wyndham Clark
    • Sam Burns
    • Harry Hall
    • Vincent Whaley
    • Takumi Kanaya

Par 4 Scoring: 350-450 Yards

• Most of the par 4s this week play between 350 and 450 yards.
  • Leaders in Par 4 Scoring: 350-400 Yards (Last 24 Rounds):
    • Doug Ghim
    • Noah Goodwin
    • Max McGreevy
    • Chan Kim
    • Hayden Springer
    • Paul Peterson
    • Brandt Snedeker
    • Seamus Power
    • Russell Henley
    • Scottie Scheffler
  • Leaders in Par 4 Scoring: 400-450 Yards (Last 24 Rounds):
    • Taylor Montgomery
    • Chris Kirk
    • Takumi Kanaya
    • Scottie Scheffler
    • Ben Griffin
    • Mark Hubbard
    • Wyndham Clark
    • Frankie Capan
    • Matt McCarty
    • Pierceson Coody

Par 5 Scoring: 500-600 Yards

• Every Par 5 in this week's event falls within this range.
  • Leaders in Par 5 Scoring: 500-550 Yards (Last 24 Rounds):
    • Nicolas Echavarria
    • McClure (Mac) Meissner
    • Scottie Scheffler
    • Neal Shipley
    • Seonghyeon Kim
    • Jacob Bridgeman
    • Christiaan Bezuidenhout
    • John VanDerLaan
    • Sepp Straka
    • Austin Smotherman
  • Leaders in Par 5 Scoring: 550-600 Yards (Last 24 Rounds):
    • Ben Griffin
    • Gordon Sargent
    • Pierceson Coody
    • Rico Hoey
    • Kevin Roy
    • Christiaan Bezuidenhout
    • Scottie Scheffler
    • Max McGreevy
    • Adam Scott
    • Sam Burns

Birdies or Better Gained

• This stat is a key measure of scoring potential, especially at PGA West/ La Quinta Country Club, where winning totals often fall between 23 and 29 under par. Contenders must consistently capitalize on scoring chances and pile up birdies.
  • Leaders in Birdies or Better Gained (Last 24 Rounds):
    • Scottie Scheffler
    • Harry Hall
    • Keith Mitchell
    • Michael Thorbjornsen
    • Ben Griffin
    • Justin Rose
    • Sami Valimaki
    • Robert Macintyre
    • Rickie Fowler
    • Kurt Kitayama

Bogey Avoidance

• While birdies are key, minimizing mistakes is just as important at PGA West/ La Quinta Country Club.
  • Leaders in Bogey Avoidance (Last 24 Rounds):
    • Scottie Scheffler
    • Ben Griffin
    • Sepp Straka
    • Matt Wallace
    • Andrew Putnam
    • Vincent Whaley
    • Harry Hall
    • Russell Henley
    • Harris English
    • John VanDerLaan

Comparable Courses and Event History

• These are your tournament specialists, players who’ve consistently performed well at the American Express.
  • Leaders in SG: Total – The American Express (Last 5 Editions):
    • Patrick Cantlay
    • Si Woo Kim
    • Will Zalatoris
    • J.T. Poston
    • Tony Finau
    • Alex Smalley
    • Jason Day
    • Ben Griffin
    • Tom Hoge
    • Adam Hadwin

The Field

The 2026 American Express features a full field of 156 players, highlighted by several of the top golfers in the world. The field is led by Scottie Scheffler (World No. 1), Russell Henley (World No. 5), Robert MacIntyre (World No. 7), and Ben Griffin (World No. 8). Defending champion Sepp Straka is also back in La Quinta this week, looking to successfully defend his title.

The field also includes a mix of rising talent and familiar names. Will Zalatoris is set to make his first PGA TOUR appearance since the 2025 PGA Championship. Following that event, he underwent back surgery in May at the Texas Back Institute, addressing an issue that had lingered since 2022 and required a second surgical procedure. Based on his recent comments, this latest surgery appears to have been far more successful than the first, and Zalatoris has expressed increased confidence that his back problems are now behind him.

Basis of qualification for each entrant this week:

• Winners of the Genesis Invitational
• Winners of the Arnold Palmer Inv. & the Memorial (Last 3 Years)
• Winner - World Golf Championship Event
• Winner - U.S. Open - Last 5 years
• Winner - THE PLAYERS Championship - Last 5 years
• Winner - The Open Championship - Last 5 years
• Winner - FedExCup - Last 5 seasons
• U.S. Ryder Cup Team
• Top 70 on Prior Year's FedExCup Points List through the Playoffs
• Top 5 from PGA TOUR Q-School
• Top 20 Prior Season Korn Ferry Tour Points List
• Top 100 on Prior Season's FedExCup Fall Points List
• Top 10 and Ties from the Previous Event
• Sponsors Exemption - Unrestricted
• PGA TOUR University
• PGA Section Champion
• Past Champion of Bob Hope Chrysler Classic
• Member of Last Named U.S.Presidents Cup Team
• Member of Last Named International Presidents Cup Team
• Member of Last Named European Ryder Cup Team
• Major Medical Extension
• Leading 10 players (not otherwise exempt) on DP World Tour
• Current Tournament Winners
• 126-150 Prior Season's FedExCup Points List
• 111-125 prior season FedExCup Fall Points List
• 101-110 Prior Season Fedex Cup Fall Points List

Previous Winners in the Field (Event):

• Sepp Straka – 2025
• Nick Dunlap – 2024
• Si Woo Kim – 2021
• Andrew Landry  – 2020
• Adam Long – 2019
• Jason Dufner – 2026
• Jhonattan Vegas – 2011

Players with Ties to California in the Field:

Birthplace:

• Patrick Cantlay – Long Beach, California
• Max Homa — Burbank, California
• Rickie Fowler – Murrieta, California
• Charley Hoffman – San Diego, California
• Beau Hossler – Mission Viejo, California

College:

• Patrick Cantlay – UCLA
• Joe Highsmith — Pepperdine University
• Rico Hoey — University of Southern California (USC)
• Max Homa — University of California, Berkeley (Cal)
• Michael Kim — University of California, Berkeley (Cal)
• Patrick Rodgers — Stanford
• Michael Thorbjornsen — Stanford
• Sahith Theegala — Pepperdine University

Debutants in the Field:

• Austin Smotherman, A.J. Ewart, Adam Scott, Adrien Saddier, Chandler Blanchet, Christo Lamprecht, Daniel Brown, David Ford, Davis Chatfield, Emilio Gonzalez, Gordon Sargent, Jeffrey Kang, John Parry, John VanDerLaan, Johnny Keefer, Jordan L Smith, Karl Vilips, Keita Nakajima, Kensei Hirata, Li Haotong, Ludvig Aberg, Luke Clanton, Marcelo Rozo, Matthew Fitzpatrick, Michael Brennan, Neal Shipley, Pontus Nyholm, Rasmus Hojgaard, Seungtaek Lee, Sudarshan Yellamaraju, Zachary Bauchou

Exemptions:

• Blades Brown: Sponsors Exemptions - Unrestricted
• Harry Higgs: Sponsors Exemptions - Unrestricted
• Zach Johnson: Sponsors Exemptions - Unrestricted
• Camilo Villegas:  Sponsors Exemptions - Unrestricted

Notable Withdraws/ Changes:

• N/A

The Odds

Here’s a breakdown of the top players in the field for this year’s American Express at PGA West/ La Quinta Country Club, ranked by current betting odds (via DraftKings). The table below details each player’s five most recent finishes on the PGA TOUR and their last result at the American Express. My top plays of the week are included in the TeeOffSports VIP+ PGA Premium package.

Recent Horses for Courses

Recent Donkeys for Courses

Previous Winners' Scores, Prices, and Strokes Gained (Rank at Tournament)

• 2025:  Sepp Straka (-25)
  • Price:  66-1

• 2024: Nick Dunlap (-29)
  • Price: 350-1

• 2023: Jon Rahm (-27)
  • Price: 13-2 (+650)

• 2022: Hudson Swafford (-23)
  • Price: 175-1

• 2021: Si Woo Kim (-23)
  • Price: 66-1

Previous Winners Incoming Form (Last 5 Starts)

• 2025: Sepp Straka
  • T30 – Sony Open in Hawaii (PGA)
  • T15 – The Sentry (PGA)
  • T9 – Hero World Challenge (PGA)
  • MC – The RSM Classic (PGA)
  • T29 – acciona Open de España (DPWT)
• 2024: Nick Dunlap
  • MC – Butterfield Bermuda Championship (PGA)
  • 2 – World Amateur Team Championship (Amateur)
  • 2 – Hamptons Intercollegiate (Amateur)
  • WON – SEC Stroke Play (Amateur)
  • T8 – OFCC Fighting Illini Invitational (Amateur)
• 2023: Jon Rahm
  • WON – Sentry Tournament of Champions (PGA)
  • T8 – Hero World Challenge (PGA)
  • T4 – THE CJ CUP in South Carolina (PGA)
  • WON – DP World Tour Championship (DPWT)
  • WON – acciona Open de España (DPWT)
• 2022: Hudson Swafford
  • T48 – Sony Open in Hawaii (PGA)
  • MC – The RSM Classic (PGA)
  • T35 – Hewlett Packard Enterprise Houston Open (PGA)
  • T33 – World Wide Technology Championship (PGA)
  • T32 – THE CJ CUP (PGA)
• 2021: Si Woo Kim
  • T25 – Sony Open in Hawaii (PGA)
  • T34 – The Masters (MAJ)
  • MC – Vivint Houston Open (MC)
  • T17 – THE CJ CUP (PGA)
  • T8 – Shriners Hospitals for Children Open (PGA)

Previous Winners' Finishes at Event

2025: Sepp Straka

2024: Nick Dunlap

• Tournament Debut

2023: Jon Rahm

2022: Hudson Swafford

2021: Si Woo Kim

Best of luck, and as always, you can find me on Twitter/X @GatorBetting and Instagram @Gator_Sports_Betting!