The PGA Tour returns to the mainland for the 67th edition of The American Express, starting Thursday in La Quinta, California, with world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler making his season debut. The tournament features a robust field of 156 players across three courses, highlighted by eight of the top 13 in the Official World Golf Ranking. Defending champion Sepp Straka aims to repeat, a feat not achieved since Johnny Miller in 1974-75.
The American Express kicks off the West Coast Swing with ideal desert conditions expected, including calm winds and overseeded greens running at about 11.5 on the Stimpmeter. Players will rotate through the Pete Dye Stadium Course at PGA West (7,210 yards, par 72), the Nicklaus Tournament Course at PGA West (7,147 yards, par 72), and La Quinta Country Club (7,060 yards, par 72) for the first three rounds, paired with amateurs. After 54 holes, the low 65 and ties advance to the final round solely on the Stadium Course without amateurs.
Scheffler, the reigning Player of the Year, enters as the clear favorite at +250 to +300 odds, despite only one top-10 in five prior starts here—a solo third in 2020. He leads a powerhouse field including Ben Griffin (+1700 to +1900), Robert MacIntyre (+2000 to +2500), Ludvig Åberg (+2000 to +2200), Patrick Cantlay (+2000 to +2500), Russell Henley (+2200 to +2500), and Sam Burns (+2000 to +2800). Straka (+3300), who won last year at 25-under with a bogey-free week until the 70th hole, returns after a third-place finish at the Hero World Challenge.
The event's history favors low scores, with an average winning total of 26-under over the last seven editions and a 72-hole record of 259 by Nick Dunlap in 2024. The $9.2 million purse underscores its status, bolstered by the cancellation of The Sentry, drawing debutants like Åberg, Matt Fitzpatrick, and Adam Scott. As Pat McCabe, executive director, noted, the schedule shift has attracted top talent, making this one of the strongest fields in decades.
Robert MacIntyre, fresh off a T4 at the Sony Open, reflected on attitude's importance: “Big, big reminder for me that attitude has got to be right for 72 holes, not just 36.” With birdie opportunities abundant on these player-friendly tracks, the tournament promises a birdie fest, though potential late-week winds could test resolve.
