This week, the PGA Tour transitions to the continental United States for the 2025 American Express, held in Palm Springs, California. Competitors will navigate two courses at PGA West and La Quinta Country Club, where high birdie counts will be essential among the strong roster participating in this three-course format, culminating in a cut after 54 holes.
At the forefront is Scottie Scheffler, the top-ranked player globally, who was unable to participate in the previous year’s event. Having been awarded PGA Tour Player of the Year for the past four consecutive seasons, Scheffler aims to replicate his past success as his 2026 campaign begins. The question arises: how can an athlete who consistently excels further enhance his performance?
Reflecting on his 2025 season, which saw him achieve 20 top-25 placements in every start and secure six victories, Scheffler pinpointed the initial phase of his year as an area needing improvement. Not fully recovered from a hand injury upon his return, Scheffler has since dedicated attention to his stamina, seemingly poised for a robust beginning to the upcoming year.
Should his performance mirror the conclusion of his 2025 season – marked by six wins across his final 12 PGA Tour appearances – his competitors will once more face an formidable challenger. Scheffler is the main attraction, alongside notable players such as his close acquaintance Sam Burns and Ryder Cup teammates Patrick Cantlay, Russell Henley, and Ben Griffin.
A substantial European presence is also slated to compete, featuring Ludvig Åberg, Matt Fitzpatrick, current titleholder Sepp Straka, and Justin Rose, all eager for the competition. While these athletes aspire to replicate their prior season’s achievements, others such as Rickie Fowler, Will Zalatoris, and Max Homa intend to overcome previous challenges and commence their years spectacularly.
2026 American Express Tournament Details
Dates: January 22-25
Venue: Pete Dye Stadium Course — La Quinta, California
Par: 72 | Length: 7,210 yards | Designer: Pete Dye
Prize Fund: $9,200,000
2026 American Express Participants and Betting Lines
Betting odds provided by DraftKings Sportsbook
- Scottie Scheffler (5/2): Across five participations, Scheffler has achieved four top-25 placements at the American Express. Although certain observers might worry that the tournament’s low-scoring character benefits other contenders, it is worth recalling Scheffler’s dominant performance at the CJ Cyo Byron Nelson, where he finished 31 strokes under par. He has enhanced his swing velocity and maintains his position as the undisputed top golfer globally. The sole uncertainty for the upcoming year is whether his putting can match his 2025 standard. Should it, his streak of success is likely to persist.
- Ben Griffin (20-1)
- Sam Burns (25-1): Over three years have passed since Burns secured a stroke-play victory on the PGA Tour. Despite this, he remains within the top 25 of the Official World Golf Rankings, and the unconstrained right-handed golfer commences his season in a favorable position, having accumulated four top-20 finishes across six outings. Even by his own demanding criteria, Burns’ putting was exceptional throughout the 2025 season, masking numerous weaknesses in his overall play.
- Ludvig Åberg (25-1): Suddenly, Åberg is entering his fourth PGA Tour season, with his third as a full-time competitor. The 26-year-old has consistently progressed each year, earning a spot on Ryder Cup teams, securing a PGA Tour win, challenging in major tournaments, and triumphing at a signature event last season. He experienced a dip in form mid-year, with some inconsistent course strategy, yet regained momentum later, showcasing the disciplined and precise play his fans anticipate.
- Russell Henley (28-1)
- Robert MacIntyre (28-1): MacIntyre currently holds the sixth spot in global rankings, a fact that has largely gone unnoticed by many. The Scottish golfer began his year impressively with a top-five result at the Sony Open, concluding with a round of 63. He acknowledged that his demeanor was not optimal during the event, even admitting to breaking his putter late in the second round due to putting-related vexations. Across his five international competitions since October, the southpaw has claimed one victory and three additional top-10 placements.
- Patrick Cantlay (30-1)
- Si Woo Kim (35-1)
- Matt Fitzpatrick (40-1): Concluding his 2025 season with a victory at the DP World Tour Championship, Fitzpatrick witnessed the peak of his diligent efforts materialize in the Middle East. Following what initially appeared to be a challenging season, the previous U.S. Open winner experienced a significant turnaround at the PGA Championship in May and sustained that momentum. Fitzpatrick’s precision with his irons notably improved during this segment of the schedule, which was crucial in fueling his impressive rise.
- Taylor Pendrith (40-1)
