BlogThe American Express Preview and Picks

The American Express

January 16th – 19th, 2025

Pete Dye Stadium Course

La Quinta, CA

Par: 72 / Yardage: 7,210

Purse: $8.5 million

with $1,530,000 to the winner

Defending Champion:
Nick Dunlap

by Sal Johnson

Founder, Chief Data Officer, GOLFstats

E-mail me at:
sal@golfstats.com

This week’s field includes:

There are 52 players in the top 100 and 19 of the top 50 in the latest Official World Rankings. Those in the top-100 are: #7 Wyndham Clark, #12 Patrick Cantlay, #16 Billy Horschel, #19 Sungjae Im, #20 Sam Burns, #21 Justin Thomas, #23 Tom Kim, #24 Tony Finau, #28 Brian Harman, #29 Nick Taylor, #32 Nick Dunlap, #35 J.T. Poston, #36 Sepp Straka, #37 Cameron Young, #39 Max Greyserman, #41 Nico Echavarria, #46 Davis Thompson, #47 Jason Day, #50 Matt McCarty, #51 Eric Cole, #52 Cam Davis, #54 Lucas Glover, #57 Christiaan Bezuidenhout, #59 Mackenzie Hughes, #60 Chris Kirk, #61 Jhonattan Vegas, #63 Tom Hoge, #65 Will Zalatoris, #66 Adam Hadwin, #67 Kevin Yu, #68 Ben Griffin, #69 Si Woo Kim, #73 Kurt Kitayama, #74 Erik Van Rooyen, #75 Harris English, #77 J.J. Spaun, #78 Rickie Fowler, #80 Victor Perez, #81 Beau Hossler, #82 Harry Hall, #83 Max McGreevy, #84 Lee Hodges, #85 Taylor Moore, #88 Adam Schenk, #89 Jesper Svensson, #91 Matteo Manassero, #92 Emiliano Grillo, #93 Patrick Fishburn, #94 Jake Knapp, #95 Doug Ghim, #97 Mark Hubbard, and #99 Patrick Rodgers.

Last year, there were 22 top-50 players on the field.

The field includes 16 players in the top 25 on the 2025 FedEx point standings.  #2 Nick Taylor #3 Collin Morikawa #4 Sungjae Im #5 Nico Echavarria #6 Jhonattan Vegas #10 Harry Hall #12 Tom Hoge #14 J.J. Spaun #15 Sam Burns #15 Cameron Young #18 Eric Cole #20 Cam Davis #22 Patrick Fishburn #22 Adam Schenk #22 Jackson Suber #25 Sepp Straka.

The field includes 6 past champions: Nick Dunlap – 2024, Si Woo Kim – 2021, Jason Dufner – 2016, Bill Haas – 2015 & ’10, Jhonattan Vegas – 2011, and Charley Hoffman – 2007.

Our performance chart, listed by average finish, is a perfect way for fantasy golfers to check on the past performance of all the players in the American Express field.

Another way to check who is the best is through a special formula worked out in Golfstats that gives us the best average performances at the Desert Classic in the last five years, or check out our sortable 8-year glance at the Desert Classic.

Who else should we be looking at?  First, it’s good to see what some of the top bookmakers think, first is oddschecker.com from England. 

Next is a list of odds from the top bookmaker in Las Vegas

Time to look at our who’s hot and who isn’t:

Who’s Hot in the field for The American Express

Player The Sentry Sony Open Hero World RSM Classic Bermuda Champ. World Wide Technology Zozo Champ. Shriners Children’s Black Desert Sanderson Farms Procore Champ. Tour Champ. BMW Champ.
Nico Echavarria
(225.33 pts)
T32
(18)
2
(100)
DNP T2
(33.33)
T29
(7)
T6
(20)
Win
(44)
CUT
(-3.33)
T11
(13)
CUT
(-3.33)
CUT
(-3.33)
DNP DNP
Sungjae Im
(179.33 pts)
3
(90)
DNP T9
(30)
DNP DNP DNP T13
(12.33)
DNP DNP DNP DNP 7
(27.5)
T11
(19.5)
Sam Burns
(143 pts)
T8
(50)
DNP T14
(24)
DNP DNP DNP DNP DNP DNP DNP DNP T12
(19)
T2
(50)
Nick Taylor
(141.33 pts)
T48
(2)
Win
(132)
DNP DNP CUT
(-3.33)
DNP T33
(5.67)
T54
(0)
T25
(8.33)
DNP CUT
(-3.33)
DNP DNP
Justin Thomas
(140.83 pts)
T26
(24)
DNP 3
(60)
DNP DNP DNP T2
(33.33)
DNP DNP DNP DNP T14
(18)
T39
(5.5)
Harry Hall
(134.33 pts)
T8
(50)
T10
(40)
DNP DNP DNP T14
(12)
T13
(12.33)
T9
(15)
T35
(5)
DNP DNP DNP DNP
J.J. Spaun
(133.33 pts)
DNP T3
(90)
DNP CUT
(-3.33)
DNP T30
(6.67)
T6
(20)
T34
(5.33)
T25
(8.33)
WD
(-1.67)
T26
(8)
DNP DNP
Patrick Fishburn
(126.33 pts)
DNP T6
(60)
DNP T8
(16.67)
DNP T12
(12.67)
T37
(4.33)
T34
(5.33)
CUT
(-3.33)
T48
(0.67)
3
(30)
DNP DNP
Lucas Glover
(119.33 pts)
DNP T21
(29)
DNP T30
(6.67)
T42
(2.67)
T24
(8.67)
DNP DNP T3
(30)
T3
(30)
T13
(12.33)
DNP DNP
Sepp Straka
(111.67 pts)
T15
(35)
T30
(20)
T9
(30)
CUT
(-3.33)
DNP DNP DNP DNP DNP DNP DNP T27
(11.5)
T13
(18.5)
Eric Cole
(108.33 pts)
52
(0)
5
(70)
DNP T15
(11.67)
DNP DNP T6
(20)
CUT
(-3.33)
DNP T16
(11.33)
CUT
(-3.33)
DNP T46
(2)
Jhonattan Vegas
(104.67 pts)
4
(80)
DNP DNP DNP T57
(0)
CUT
(-3.33)
T11
(13)
T52
(0)
DNP T23
(9)
T32
(6)
DNP DNP
Tom Hoge
(100.67 pts)
T8
(50)
T45
(5)
DNP DNP DNP T45
(1.67)
T56
(0)
CUT
(-3.33)
DNP DNP T7
(18.33)
T29
(10.5)
T13
(18.5)
Xander Schauffele
(98 pts)
T30
(20)
DNP DNP DNP DNP DNP T41
(3)
DNP DNP DNP DNP T4
(40)
T5
(35)
Wyndham Clark
(97.17 pts)
T15
(35)
DNP T17
(22)
DNP DNP DNP DNP DNP DNP DNP CUT
(-3.33)
8
(25)
T13
(18.5)
Max Greyserman
(97 pts)
T24
(26)
DNP DNP DNP DNP 4
(26.67)
T2
(33.33)
DNP DNP DNP DNP DNP T28
(11)
Patrick Cantlay
(96 pts)
T15
(35)
DNP 11
(26)
DNP DNP DNP DNP DNP DNP DNP DNP T17
(16.5)
T13
(18.5)
Lee Hodges
(85.33 pts)
DNP T10
(40)
DNP T5
(23.33)
DNP DNP T16
(11.33)
CUT
(-3.33)
T8
(16.67)
T48
(0.67)
CUT
(-3.33)
DNP DNP
Justin Lower
(85.33 pts)
DNP T37
(13)
DNP CUT
(-3.33)
T5
(23.33)
T2
(33.33)
T56
(0)
CUT
(-3.33)
CUT
(-3.33)
T28
(7.33)
T7
(18.33)
DNP DNP
Nick Dunlap
(79.5 pts)
55
(0)
T10
(40)
16
(22.67)
DNP DNP DNP DNP DNP DNP T28
(7.33)
DNP DNP T31
(9.5)
Cameron Young
(78.17 pts)
T8
(50)
DNP 13
(24.67)
DNP DNP DNP DNP DNP DNP DNP DNP DNP T43
(3.5)
J.T. Poston
(75.83 pts)
T40
(10)
CUT
(-10)
DNP T5
(23.33)
DNP DNP DNP Win
(44)
DNP DNP DNP DNP T33
(8.5)
Brian Harman
(75.17 pts)
58
(0)
T21
(29)
12
(25.33)
T25
(8.33)
DNP DNP DNP DNP DNP DNP DNP DNP 25
(12.5)
Mark Hubbard
(72.33 pts)
DNP T21
(29)
DNP T35
(5)
T3
(30)
DNP T41
(3)
T14
(12)
CUT
(-3.33)
T63
(0)
CUT
(-3.33)
DNP DNP
Joe Highsmith
(70 pts)
DNP CUT
(-10)
DNP T11
(13)
DNP 5
(23.33)
DNP T16
(11.33)
T6
(20)
T55
(0)
T13
(12.33)
DNP DNP
Alex Smalley
(69.67 pts)
DNP T16
(34)
DNP CUT
(-3.33)
T29
(7)
T39
(3.67)
DNP 65
(0)
T25
(8.33)
T5
(23.33)
CUT
(-3.33)
DNP DNP
David Lipsky
(69.67 pts)
DNP T45
(5)
DNP DNP T9
(15)
T6
(20)
DNP T41
(3)
CUT
(-3.33)
CUT
(-3.33)
2
(33.33)
DNP DNP
Kevin Yu
(67.67 pts)
T44
(6)
DNP DNP T11
(13)
CUT
(-3.33)
DNP T16
(11.33)
CUT
(-3.33)
DNP Win
(44)
DNP DNP DNP
Tony Finau
(67 pts)
T15
(35)
DNP DNP DNP DNP DNP DNP DNP DNP DNP DNP T23
(13.5)
T13
(18.5)
Rico Hoey
(66 pts)
DNP T59
(0)
DNP DNP T17
(11)
T45
(1.67)
T22
(9.33)
T3
(30)
T21
(9.67)
68
(0)
T37
(4.33)
DNP DNP
Doug Ghim
(65.33 pts)
DNP T72
(0)
DNP T42
(2.67)
CUT
(-3.33)
T20
(10)
T27
(7.67)
2
(33.33)
T25
(8.33)
T33
(5.67)
T47
(1)
DNP DNP
Ben Griffin
(65.33 pts)
DNP T45
(5)
DNP T15
(11.67)
8
(16.67)
T24
(8.67)
T22
(9.33)
CUT
(-3.33)
T11
(13)
T37
(4.33)
DNP DNP DNP
Tom Kim
(63.33 pts)
DNP T65
(0)
2
(66.67)
DNP DNP DNP DNP CUT
(-3.33)
DNP DNP DNP DNP DNP
Beau Hossler
(62 pts)
DNP DNP DNP DNP DNP T20
(10)
T56
(0)
T23
(9)
T11
(13)
2
(33.33)
CUT
(-3.33)
DNP DNP
Si Woo Kim
(61.33 pts)
T32
(18)
CUT
(-10)
DNP WD
(-1.67)
DNP DNP T6
(20)
DNP DNP DNP DNP DNP T5
(35)
Jackson Suber
(60 pts)
DNP T6
(60)
DNP DNP DNP DNP DNP DNP DNP DNP DNP DNP DNP
Bud Cauley
(59.67 pts)
DNP T30
(20)
DNP T25
(8.33)
DNP DNP DNP T34
(5.33)
CUT
(-3.33)
T5
(23.33)
T32
(6)
DNP DNP
Kurt Kitayama
(59.67 pts)
DNP T37
(13)
DNP DNP DNP DNP 5
(23.33)
T9
(15)
T25
(8.33)
DNP DNP DNP DNP
Vince Whaley
(59.33 pts)
DNP T72
(0)
DNP T8
(16.67)
T5
(23.33)
T55
(0)
DNP T16
(11.33)
67
(0)
T16
(11.33)
CUT
(-3.33)
DNP DNP
Cam Davis
(58.67 pts)
T13
(37)
CUT
(-10)
DNP DNP DNP DNP DNP CUT
(-3.33)
DNP DNP DNP DNP T5
(35)
Denny McCarthy
(58.33 pts)
T46
(4)
T16
(34)
DNP T25
(8.33)
DNP DNP DNP DNP DNP DNP DNP DNP T26
(12)
Matt Kuchar
(57.67 pts)
DNP T21
(29)
DNP CUT
(-3.33)
DNP T30
(6.67)
T37
(4.33)
T14
(12)
DNP CUT
(-3.33)
T13
(12.33)
DNP DNP
Greyson Sigg
(57 pts)
DNP T70
(0)
DNP CUT
(-3.33)
T9
(15)
DNP DNP T23
(9)
T11
(13)
CUT
(-3.33)
T4
(26.67)
DNP DNP
Daniel Berger
(57 pts)
DNP CUT
(-10)
DNP T2
(33.33)
T62
(0)
T20
(10)
DNP T39
(3.67)
T35
(5)
7
(18.33)
CUT
(-3.33)
DNP DNP
Mackenzie Hughes
(56.67 pts)
DNP CUT
(-10)
DNP T5
(23.33)
T67
(0)
DNP DNP DNP DNP T8
(16.67)
T4
(26.67)
DNP DNP
Wesley Bryan
(54 pts)
DNP DNP DNP CUT
(-3.33)
T17
(11)
T6
(20)
DNP DNP T21
(9.67)
T37
(4.33)
T13
(12.33)
DNP DNP
Patton Kizzire
(52.67 pts)
T40
(10)
CUT
(-10)
DNP T66
(0)
DNP CUT
(-3.33)
DNP CUT
(-3.33)
T43
(2.33)
T11
(13)
Win
(44)
DNP DNP
Henrik Norlander
(51.33 pts)
DNP T37
(13)
DNP T17
(11)
T57
(0)
T30
(6.67)
DNP CUT
(-3.33)
T8
(16.67)
T28
(7.33)
T61
(0)
DNP DNP
Matti Schmid
(51.33 pts)
DNP CUT
(-10)
DNP DNP 61
(0)
CUT
(-3.33)
DNP T3
(30)
5
(23.33)
T16
(11.33)
T58
(0)
DNP DNP
Adam Schenk
(51.33 pts)
DNP T6
(60)
DNP T53
(0)
DNP CUT
(-3.33)
T67
(0)
T46
(1.33)
DNP CUT
(-3.33)
CUT
(-3.33)
DNP DNP
Sam Stevens
(49.67 pts)
DNP T59
(0)
DNP T42
(2.67)
T67
(0)
T6
(20)
T22
(9.33)
T23
(9)
DNP T37
(4.33)
T37
(4.33)
DNP DNP
Keith Mitchell
(49.33 pts)
DNP T30
(20)
DNP CUT
(-3.33)
DNP CUT
(-3.33)
DNP CUT
(-3.33)
CUT
(-3.33)
T3
(30)
12
(12.67)
DNP DNP
Sam Ryder
(49 pts)
DNP T21
(29)
DNP CUT
(-3.33)
T5
(23.33)
T30
(6.67)
DNP CUT
(-3.33)
T40
(3.33)
CUT
(-3.33)
CUT
(-3.33)
DNP DNP
Paul Peterson
(48.33 pts)
DNP T10
(40)
DNP T25
(8.33)
DNP DNP DNP DNP DNP DNP DNP DNP DNP
Rickie Fowler
(47 pts)
DNP DNP DNP DNP DNP DNP 4
(26.67)
T23
(9)
DNP T16
(11.33)
DNP DNP DNP

How Player Rankings are Computed

Who’s Not Hot in the field for The American Express

Player The Sentry Sony Open Hero World RSM Classic Bermuda Champ. World Wide Technology Zozo Champ. Shriners Children’s Black Desert Sanderson Farms Procore Champ. Tour Champ. BMW Champ.
Peter Malnati
(-26.67 pts)
T53
(0)
CUT
(-10)
DNP CUT
(-3.33)
CUT
(-3.33)
DNP DNP CUT
(-3.33)
CUT
(-3.33)
CUT
(-3.33)
DNP DNP DNP
Camilo Villegas
(-25.67 pts)
DNP CUT
(-10)
DNP CUT
(-3.33)
T47
(1)
CUT
(-3.33)
DNP T54
(0)
CUT
(-3.33)
CUT
(-3.33)
CUT
(-3.33)
DNP DNP
Hayden Buckley
(-20 pts)
DNP DNP DNP CUT
(-3.33)
T65
(0)
CUT
(-3.33)
DNP CUT
(-3.33)
CUT
(-3.33)
CUT
(-3.33)
CUT
(-3.33)
DNP DNP
Ryan Palmer
(-20 pts)
DNP CUT
(-10)
DNP DNP DNP CUT
(-3.33)
DNP CUT
(-3.33)
DNP DNP CUT
(-3.33)
DNP DNP
Brendon Todd
(-14.67 pts)
DNP CUT
(-10)
DNP CUT
(-3.33)
T57
(0)
DNP 75
(0)
CUT
(-3.33)
DNP DNP T44
(2)
DNP DNP
Chris Gotterup
(-11 pts)
T46
(4)
CUT
(-10)
DNP DNP DNP DNP T71
(0)
45
(1.67)
DNP CUT
(-3.33)
CUT
(-3.33)
DNP DNP
Mason Andersen
(-10 pts)
DNP CUT
(-10)
DNP DNP DNP DNP DNP DNP DNP DNP DNP DNP DNP
Ricky Castillo
(-10 pts)
DNP CUT
(-10)
DNP DNP DNP DNP DNP DNP DNP DNP DNP DNP DNP
Trevor Cone
(-10 pts)
DNP CUT
(-10)
DNP DNP DNP DNP DNP DNP DNP DNP DNP DNP DNP
Quade Cummins
(-10 pts)
DNP CUT
(-10)
DNP DNP DNP DNP DNP DNP DNP DNP DNP DNP DNP

How Player Rankings are Computed

The Buzz

History of the American Express:

For years, the event was one of the top events, and never had to worry about sponsorship as Chrysler was a part of the event since its early years.  However, Chrysler dropped sponsorship in 2008, leaving the tournament vulnerable.  It no longer had Bob Hope’s influence, who grew too old to participate in the 90s, and when he died in 2003, the event was in chaos.  With Hope, the event had a firm footing as players loved to be a part of it, and they got the best of stars playing with the players.  But just after Hope died, the stars didn’t show up, and players found participating in a five-day, 90-hole event too much.  The difference in this event was that it was played in five days on four different courses, and the pro was paired with four amateurs.  The AT&T Pebble Beach was over four days over three courses, but it paired the golfer with a celebrity for the 3 days in which each pairing was two professionals with two amateurs.  So, this was more of a team event between the player and the amateur.  But Hope had a professional with four different amateurs over four days, and players hated this more and more.

This went on for three years after Chrysler left, and after the 2011 event, many thought the tournament was finished. That wasn’t the case, Tim Finchem and the Tour arranged with Bill Clinton to get his foundation involved and then got Humana to take over sponsorship.  The format changed from a 90-hole tournament to a 72-hole, which helped coax more players to attend.  Humana stuck around for four years before leaving as the sponsor, but the Tour got CareerBuilders to step in and take over through 2021, so it was thought that the event was on a substantial foundation.  However, CareerBuilder stepped away after 2018, and things got foggy again.  The event went on in 2019 without a sponsor, while another was found, which happened to be American Express.

A sponsor was easier to find because of what the tournament did after the 2015 event was played.  The most popular home venue for the tournament was the Palmer Course, which was the home course for 14 of the 17 years between 1999 and 2015.  However, after 2015, Palmer Private and Nicklaus Private didn’t want to participate in the tournament. It was a terrible deal for tournament officials because they realized the importance of the Palmer course after a disastrous change in 2006 when the event was played at the Classic Club for three years.  Along with the PGA Tour, Tournament officials made what could have been a very controversial decision to bring the Stadium Course out of retirement, the Pete Dye design course, which held the event in 1987, to many complaints.

Back then, the course was stunning on television, but the players hated it.  In the age of persimmon drivers and balata balls, the players thought the Dye track was too complicated and “gimmicky”  with its island green, 20-foot-deep bunkers, a green surrounded by a nine-foot moat-style bunker.  Hitting drives was demanding because if the fairways were missed, the ball’s chances were in a bush or behind a tree.  The course was the most penal course in the Palm Springs area and the country.  On top of that, the players hated how long it took to play.  Playing with amateurs, it took over six hours to get around.

The players demonized the course as being too hard, and it was.  Over 25 years, all the courses that held the Desert Classic ranked very quickly and were known as places to make lots of eagles and birdies.  But that wasn’t the case with PGA West in 1987. The field played two rounds on the course in 1987, and they disliked it.  It played to a 74.157 average for the week,  two shots over par for the field.  It ranked as the 7th hardest course that year, with the players loudly voicing their displeasure in the days after Corey Pavin won.  When the Tour dropped the TPC Stadium Course a few weeks later, it made many players very happy, and it was thought that it would never have another PGA Tour event.

In 1987 of the 18 holes played at PGA West, 16 were played over par.  The only ones under were the par 5, 8th, and the par 4, 12th. It’s hard to believe that three of the four par 5s were over par, and the 11th hole played to a 5.308 average.  In the 35 years since, only ten par 5s played harder, with the 14th at Pebble Beach playing the hardest.

So, the question in 2016 was whether players thought that PGA West, which was impossible 29 years previously, would play differently.  Over the three decades, the course was softened.  Bushes and small trees that used to line the fairways had been removed, making the fairways more generous.  The moat bunker at 12 is gone, and with golf equipment better and the course gaining only 190 yards, it still looked speculator on TV but didn’t kill the pros. When the course returned in 2016, it played to an average of 70.818, making it the 41st hardest of 50 courses.  In 1987, 16 of the 18 holes were played over par.  In 2016, only seven played over par.  More importantly, the players loved playing the course; many thought it was one of the best courses of the year.  So, going into the 2017 event, the course was again the star.  Things didn’t change that year as the course played to an average of 71.588 and was the 30th hardest course of the year (primarily because of the wet weather all four days).  Despite it being more challenging, there was nothing but praise as players loved the Stadium Course.  In 2018, things were more of the same; it played to a 71.18 average and was the 36th hardest course for the year.  In 2019, the course played to a 70.24 scoring average and was the 40th hardest course for 2019. In 2020, the course played to a 70.36 average and was the 36th hardest course.  In 2021, it played to a 70.81 average and was the 36th hardest (out of 51 courses), while in 2022, it played to a 70.57 average and was the 37th hardest course.  In 2023, it played to a 69.20 average and was the 55th hardest course.  Last year it played to a 69.15 and was the 47th hardest course (out of 50).  Matter of fact last year the three courses that hold the American Express ranked for the year, Pete Dye Stadium the 4th easiest, Nicklaus Tournament course the 3rd easiest and La Quinta the 2nd easiset. So, the course went from one of the most difficult golf courses to a very manageable one.  More importantly, players have loved the course, so it’s become a fixture for this event.

Major changes for 2021

With the solid footings of American Express, the event would have a bright and fun future for many more years.  However, significant changes were made in California with the pandemic out of hand.  The most brutal change for the tournament was the pro-am portion was dropped, so no amateurs were playing.  With the amateurs being dropped, 624 players wouldn’t be playing, so the sponsors illuminated one course, which was played on just two courses.  Because the Nicklaus course shares the same clubhouse as the Pete Dye Stadium course, they had to drop LaQuinta, a regular course, since it joined the rota in 1963.  In the 58 years before 2021, it only missed nine events in 1980, 1987, 1989, 1990,1993, 1996,1999, 2002, and 2009.

But the big deal was that players got to play the Stadium Course for three days and get more marquee players for TV.

Reverting back for 2022.

So things are back to normal, the amateurs are back, and La Quinta Country Club is back in the rota, holding one of the four rounds.  This was a special year for La Quinta as it was the 52nd time the American Express is being played on it.  Funny, when La Quinta debuted in 1964, it was considered a difficult course with its tight fairways and small greens.  It’s funny how things have evolved in the 60 years since it’s gone from one of the toughest courses on Tour to one of the easiest today.

Some other things that are back are fans, and along with the fans, they enjoyed some of the post-round concerts.  In 2022, Maroon 5 with Adam Levine played on Friday, while Brad Paisley played on Saturday. In 2023, Gwen Stefani played on Friday, and on Saturday, Darius Rucker played.   Last year, Keith Urban will play on Friday, and on Saturday, there will be Train. This year will be memorable as Little Big Town will play on Friday, and Journey will play on Saturday.

This concert series has proven essential for the tournament and helped attract more fans.

So, how many of you know who Bob Hope is???

For many, you ask them who Bob Hope was, and they don’t know. Unfortunately, many don’t realize his importance in the entertainment and golfing world.  He was probably the most significant comedian between the 1930s and 90s and hosted this event between 1965 and his death in 2003 at age 100. Hope’s name was the fixture until it was dropped in 2012.

Yes, Bob Hope would be proud that the event is still popular today.  Of course, this event has competition as it’s played the same week as the Hero Dubai Desert Classic on the DP World Tour.  Dubai has an excellent field of marquee players like Rory McIlroy, Jon Rahm, Tommy Fleetwood, Akshay Bhatia, Robert MacIntyre, Viktor Hovland, Tyrrell Hatton and Patrick Reed are in the field.  Another disadvantage is due to LIV Golf.  Phil Mickelson, who used to host this event along with past champions Hudson Swafford, Patrick Reed, and Pat Perez, can’t play in the event they won. Another whammy to the tournament happened when Scottie Scheffler cut his hand on Christmas day and couldn’t play.  On Monday, they were hit again as Xander Schauffele withdrew.  All he said was it was due to medical reasons, the last couple of years, he has had minor back problems, including having to withdraw after the first round of the 2023 Sentry.  Schauffele finished T-30th at the Sentry a week ago, the highest finish in 8 starts, and with his T-41st finish at the Zozo Championship, you have to wonder if something is up.  These were the only events he didn’t finish in the top 25 since last year’s AT&T Pebble Beach.  One last thing to think about, in 2023 he withdrew from the Sentry with a bad back

So, will the low scoring continue at American Express?

Scoring has always been low in this event.  Since it went from 90 holes to 72 in 2011, the range of scores has been from 20 under par (in 2017) to as low as 28 under by Patrick Reed in 2014.  59 has been shot twice in this event, first by David Duval in the final round at the Palmer Course in 1999.  In 2017, Adam Hadwin shot 59 at La Quinta.  As for the Stadium course, Patrick Cantlay shot 61 in the final round in 2022.  Showing how you have to shoot low, of the 10 players that finished in the top ten in the 2022 American Express, only one round saw a score over par for any round. Of the 40 rounds played by those 10 players, 32 rounds were in the 60s, so we can see that scoring will be low. Again, 2023 showed how scoring has gone low; of the 69 players that made the cut, only four shot over par in the final round. Last year, only five players were over par as they missed the cut.  Of the 67 players who made the cut, Will Gordon finished 9 under par as he shot 78 in the final round.  The winner, Nick Dunlap, who was an amateur, shot 29 under par, the lowest winning score since the event went to 72 holes in 2012.

So you have to go low to win the American Express.

In the two weeks of play in Hawaii, Hideki Matsuyama was 35 under at Kapalua, while Nick Taylor was 16 under in the Sony Open. Unfortunately, Matsuyama is not playing, and Nick Taylor has always struggled in this event; his best finish was T-20th in 2018, and he has missed five of ten cuts in the last two years.

Course information:

A unique event that will return to three courses this year, with Pete Dye Stadium hosting two of the four rounds.

  • 7,210 yards     Par 36-36–72

The course has a 76.1 rating and slope rating of 150 from the championship tees, making it one of the country’s hardest.

The course was designed by Pete Dye and opened in 1986.  Dye was hired by the Landmark developing company, which was big in the 80s with over a dozen courses worldwide.  Landmark owners Ernie Vossler and Joe Walser gave Dye the task of building the most challenging course in the World.

Along with the 1987 Desert Classic, the Skins Game was held on the course between 1986 and 1991.  PGA Tour qualifying school was held six times, the last being 2008, but the hint that the course was becoming more playable was when the Champions Tour had the Liberty Mutual Legends of Golf on it in 1995 and ’96.  The seniors took a liking to the course, which was softened for that event.

The average green size is 6,500 square feet, and the course has nearly a hundred bunkers around it.  Water comes into play on nine of the holes, and the Desert Classic course record is 61 by Patrick Cantlay in the final round in 2021.

Last year, the course played to a 69.15 average and was the fourth easiest course on tour (out of 50 courses).

Now, the course may be one of the most intimidating on the PGA Tour, but thanks to some work, it is very manageable. In 2023, 225 rounds were played on it, with 177 under-par rounds, 17 at even par, and only 31 over par. Last year, 223 rounds were played on it, with 172 under-par rounds, 16 at even par, and 35 over par.

Over the summer, all 18 greens were rebuilt and returned to their original larger size. Also, all of the bunkers were redone, again bringing the bunkers back to the way they were when the course opened. With the greens being bigger, PGA Tour officials will be able to try some new pin placements, which could make the course play a notch easier.

Other courses used in the Rota:

La Quinta C.C.

  • La Quinta, Calif.
  • 7,060 yards     Par 36-36–72

The course has a 74.2 rating and a slope rating of 136 from the championship tees.

The course is private and not open to the public. It returned to the rota after not being played in 2021.

La Quinta was designed by Billy Bell and Lawrence Hughes and opened in 1959.  In 1999, Robert Muir Graves and Damian Pascuzzo rebuilt all the greens, bunkers, and tees.  He has also taken all the water hazards on the course and made them all come into play. The flagpole at the first tee is the official flagpole from the 1960 Winter Olympics at Squaw Valley. The Novotny family gave it to La Quinta Country Club in memory of Frank Capra, a living legend in the 30s and 40s at the La Quinta Inn.

The average green size at La Quinta is 5,500 square feet, and the course has 101 bunkers.  There are five water hazards as eight holes are affected.  La Quinta was first used as a tournament course in 1964, and after this year will be a part of 51 of the 64 Desert Classic and has historically been the hardest of the courses used.  It was the host course in 1970, 1977, 1980, and 1983.

Here is the scoring average of the La Quinta course compared to other courses that hold events on the PGA Tour:

  • 2024 – 67.902 average, 2nd easiest of the 50 courses used for the year
  • 2023 – 69.583 average, 5th easiest of the 58 courses used for the year
  • 2022 – 69.917 average, 8th easiest of the 50 courses used for the year
  • 2020 – 69.176 average, the easiest of the 41 courses used for the year
  • 2019 – 68.718 average, the easiest of the 49 courses used for the year
  • 2018 – 68.831 average, the easiest of the 51 courses used for the year
  • 2017 – 69.635 average, 2nd easiest of 50 courses used for the year
  • 2016 – 69.148 average, 3rd easiest of 50 courses used for the year
  • 2015 – 70.083 average, 6th easiest of 52 courses used for the year
  • 2014 – 69.768 average, 4th easiest of 48 courses used for the year
  • 2013 – 69.487 average, 3rd easiest of 43 courses used for the year
  • 2012 – 70.678 average, 41st hardest of 49 courses used for the year
  • 2011 – 70.024 average, 43rd hardest of 51 courses used for the year
  • 2010 – 69.969 average, 47th hardest of 52 courses used for the year
PGA West Nicklaus Tournament Course
  • La Quinta, Calif.
  • 7,147 yards     Par 36-36–72

The course has a 75.3 rating and a slope rating of 143 from the championship tees.

The course is open to the public.

The course is a tamer version of its neighbor, the Stadium course.  Look for lots of birdies to be made, as the fairways are generous, and the greens should be easy to hit.  The Nicklaus course held the final PGA Tour qualifying tournament on the course in 1988, ’90. ’93, 2000, ’02, ’04, ’06, ’08, ’12, and ’13, so many of the players in the field will have played it.

Last year, the course was used for the eighth straight year and blended very well into the tournament. Its 68.084 average made it the third easiest of 50 courses used on the PGA Tour in 2024.

COURSE KEYS

We won’t have course keys since the event was played on three different courses in previous years.

 

DraftKings Tips

*Here are the guys that are very costly this week:

Justin Thomas – $10,400

Sungjae Im – $10,300

Sam Burns – $9,800

Patrick Cantlay – $9,600

Tony Finau – $9,500

Wyndham Clark – $9,400

Tom Kim – $9,400

Max Greyserman – $9,200

Si Woo Kim – $9,100

Cameron Young – $9,000

 

I have to say Justin Thomas at $10,400 is worth a look.  I was very high on him at the Sentry, and he never came through.  He has played in this event three times, but only once since it changed to the Pete Dye Stadium Course took over.  He finished T-3rd last year and liked what he saw, so he has returned.  Yes, he is one of the favorites, but I don’t think he is the top.  Courses are great for him since he is a birdie machine, and you have to be a birdie machine to do well.  Sungjae Im at $10,300 is a good choice if you are looking for a top-five finish, but he is not your man if you’re looking for a win.  In six Amex starts has been in the top-25 all six times.  But his best finish is T-10th back in 2020.  As for the year, was 3rd at the Sentry.  Since the Masters has had 13 top-25 finishes in 17 starts so he does make a lot of money, but will it be good enough at such a high cost?  I say no to making him one of my six DraftKings picks.  Same story of Sam Burns at $9,800, in his last 11 starts has been out of the top 15 just twice and was T-8th at the Sentry.  Only difference he has played well at the Amex, been out of the top 18 just once in five starts, he was T-11th in 2024 and T-6th last year.  He is due to break out and win soon.  I can’t say the same for Patrick Cantlay at $9,600.  In the last 18 months, he has only missed two cuts in 26 starts, but he hasn’t been in the top ten since Travelers, and his game, despite being ok, is not good enough for his $9,600 price tag.  He was 2nd at the Amex, but that was in 2021, since he was 9th in 2022, T-26th in 2023, and T-52nd last year.  So, take a pass on him this year.  Tony Finau at $9,500, is still getting over his October surgery to repair a torn meniscus in his left knee.  So its best to take a pass on him, yes he was 4th at the 2021 Amex but not much after that.  Was T-25th last year.  Wyndham Clark at $9,400 is another that hasn’t shown us to be able to collect a lot of points for his high price tag.  On top of that, his best finish is only 13th in six Amex starts so he is another person not to take.  Tom Kim at $9,400 is a tough choice, yes he won twice in the desert in Las Vegas and finished T-6th at the Amex in 2023.  But he missed the cut last year at the Amex and has not been consistent, making him a tough person to judge.  I say he is due to break out, and this could be the place where he will do it.  Max Greyserman at $9,200 is a bit of a surprise that he is priced so high.  Frankly, I don’t see it; he has had three runner-up finishes over the summer and one in Japan. If you look at his stats, he was 8th in Par Breakers last year and T-12th this year, which is why he is so high. Si Woo Kim at $9,100, is another player whose cost factor I don’t like compared to what he brings to the table.  Yes, he won the Amex in 2021, but he has gone downhill, finishing T-11th in 2022, T-22nd in 2023, and T-25th last year.  His play on the PGA Tour has not been great, yes makes a lot of cuts, but a T-25th does not help much with his price.  Lastly, we have Cameron Young at $9,000. His record is not great in this event (best finish in two starts, T-26th in 2023).  One thing to watch: he is a streaky player, and when he has a good finish, he gets better in his next couple of starts.  Young was T-8th at the Sentry, so watch him this week. I like him a lot.

Here is our feature in which we help you decide which guys who make the cut the most in a tournament.  Picking six players who play 72 holes is vital to playing well in Draftkings, and this list will help.  Going back to the 2017 American Express on who has made the most cuts, it’s a look.  Of course, those who make a lot of cuts and are priced low are very helpful.  To get on this list, you have to make at least three Amex starts:

  • Adam Hadwin made 9 cuts in 9 starts for a 100.0% total.  His DrafKings cost is $7,700
  • Sungjae Im made 6 cuts in 6 starts for a 100.0% total.  His DrafKings cost is $10,300
  • Will Zalatoris made 3 cuts in 3 starts for a 100.0% total.  His DrafKings cost is $8,400
  • Jason Day made 3 cuts in 3 starts for a 100.0% total.  His DrafKings cost is $7,900
  • Christiaan Bezuidenhout made 3 cuts in 3 starts for a 100.0% total.  His DrafKings cost is $7,600
  • Andrew Putnam made 7 cuts in 8 starts for a 87.5% total.  His DrafKings cost is $7,200
  • Sam Ryder made 6 cuts in 7 starts for a 85.7% total.  His DrafKings cost is $6,700
  • Si Woo Kim made 6 cuts in 7 starts for a 85.7% total.  His DrafKings cost is $9,100
  • Tony Finau made 6 cuts in 7 starts for a 85.7% total.  His DrafKings cost is $9,500
  • Patrick Cantlay made 5 cuts in 6 starts for a 83.3% total.  His DrafKings cost is $9,600
  • Wyndham Clark made 5 cuts in 6 starts for a 83.3% total.  His DrafKings cost is $9,400
  • Sam Burns made 4 cuts in 5 starts for a 80.0% total.  His DrafKings cost is $9,800
  • J.T. Poston made 6 cuts in 8 starts for a 75.0% total.  His DrafKings cost is $7,800
  • Daniel Berger made 3 cuts in 4 starts for a 75.0% total.  His DrafKings cost is $7,500
  • Brian Harman made 8 cuts in 11 starts for a 72.7% total.  His DrafKings cost is $8,200
  • Zach Johnson made 10 cuts in 14 starts for a 71.4% total.  His DrafKings cost is $6,700
Here are those players with costs between $7,500 and $8,900 that are worth the price:

I have to say that the folks above $9,000 didn’t impress on me; look at the players below to carry the day for you.

First, we have to seriously look at Harry Hall at $8,800; yes, he’s an expense, but since the Shriners, he has been T-9th in Vegas, T-13th at the Zozo, T-14th at WWT, T-8th at the Sentry and T-10th at the Sony.  He could be a winner again, so watch him.  Nick Dunlap at $8,500, is returning to the place which changed his life.  After his win, he struggled, but since his Barracuda win, he has come alive, including a T-5th at the FedEx St. Jude and T-19th last week at the Sony.  Will Zalatoris at $8,400 is an excellent price for a guy on a comeback trail and ready to break out.  He led after a first-round 65 at the Sentry, and I think he is prepared to play a great 72 holes.  He finished T-6th in this event in 2022, so watch out for him.  Eric Cole at $8,300, is another of those players who are on the cusp of finally winning on the PGA Tour.  He struggled in 2024 but has played great since the U.S. Open. His game was sharp last week at the Sony, finishing 5th.  Another to watch is Brian Harman at $8,200.  I like him because he has played well in the past at the Amex, including T-3rd finishes in 2017 and 2022.  His big problem has been not playing consistent over 72 holes, if he can do that he will do well.  Have to watch Nico Echavarria at $7,900, he has been on tear since Black Desert, he won the Zozo, and finished runner-up at the RSM and Sony.  Tom Hoge at $7,800, has played well at the Amex, including being a runner-up in 2022.  He has played well for years, is always consistent, and could be good this week.  My pick for the week is Adam Hadwin at just $7,700.  He has been incredible in his nine Amex starts, with no missed cuts. He has five top-tens, including a  T-6th last year, T-3rd in 2018, but was runner-up in 2017 and ’19. Yes, he hasn’t had a top ten since Memorial and was T-59th at the Sony but didn’t play badly, so Hadwin is an automatic pick. Who knows if he can run the tables this week? Also watch Christiaan Bezuidenhout at $7,600, he was runner-up last year, T-11th in 2023 and T-40th in 2022.  He has the game to put it together, this could be an excellent place for him.

 

Who are the “Bargains” out there?

I like Andrew Putnam at $7,200, he has made 7 of 8 cuts including a T-10th in 2000.  He was T-30th at the Sony, I feel he will make the cut and earn many points at a low price.  Erik Van Rooyen at $7,100, is another cheap player, makes a lot of cuts, and has done ok in the Amex, including a T-6th in 2023.  Rico Hoey at $7,000 is a great price for a player who has made his last 14 cuts.  He was T-3rd at the Shriners, so he could play well in the desert.  Sam Ryder at $6,700, is a good pick because he has made six of seven cuts at the Amex.  The same with Lanto Griffen at $6,700, has been consistent on the PGA Tour, making nine of ten cuts, and was T-3rd at the Amex in 2022.  Yes, I was very high on Aldrich Potgieter at $6,500, and he missed the cut at the Sony.  I still think he is unique and will play great this week.

Here are some of the secrets of what it takes to play well at the Desert Classic

The key stat for the winner:
  • The addition of Pete Dye Stadium Course now gives the tournament a bit more of a challenge.  You won’t find any 59s shot on this course; in its first year, 2016, 65 was the lowest round shot at the Stadium Course.  In 2017, Dominic Bozzelli shot 64 in the first round, making it the lowest round shot at the Stadium Course, one of the 50 rounds shot at the Stadium Course.  In 2018, Kevin Chappell shot 64 in the second round, and Sam Saunders shot 64 in the final round, the lowest score at the Stadium Course.  In 2019, several 64s were shot at PGA West, but the possibility of someone shooting 63 or lower is small.  In 2020, we saw a new course record: Sam Burns and Abraham Ancer shot 63. Now, Patrick Cantlay broke all of the records in 2021 when he shot 61 in the final round.  In 2023, the low round on the Pete Dye course was 62 by Xander Schauffele and Erik Van Rooyen in the final round. Last year, Justin Thomas set the Stadium course record when he shot 61 in the third round, making 11 birdies.  Still, the key is that low scores aren’t shot on this course like the others.
  • The most important stat is how many birdies are allowed on the three courses.  In 2021, because of COVID-19, the rules were changed, and only two courses were used.  But in 2022, the three courses returned, and we can see that 658 birdies with 30 eagles were made at La Quanta, 683 birdies, and 17 eagles on the Nicklaus course, and 1006 birdies with 16 eagles on the Pete Dye Stadium Course.  In 2023, we saw 862 birdies with 37 eagles made at La Quanta, 875 birdies, and 25 eagles on the Nicklaus course, and 1,156 birdies with 29 eagles on the Pete Dye Stadium Course.  Last year we saw 713 birdies with 29 eagles made at La Quanta, 803 birdies and 25 eagles on the Nicklaus course, and 1,128 birdies with 24 eagles on the Pete Dye Stadium Course
  • So a key stat to look at for this week is Par Breakers on tour.
  • Of the top-10 on that list playing this week is Sungjae Im, Jhonattan Vegas, Patrick Cantlay, Sam Burns, Cameron Young, and Cameron Young, all good picks this week.
Here are some more key stats to look for this week:
  • This week, the pros will play over three courses in four days, which is quite a learning scale with very little time to prepare and learn two new courses.  This makes it even harder for those coming from Hawaii; unless they take red-eyes on Sunday night or miss the cut, they won’t get to start practicing until Tuesday.  Still, it’s better than when this event was played over five days.
  • Another problem for the pros is that they play with two amateurs in the first three days.  So patience is needed to tolerate those five-plus hour rounds.  Look for experienced players to do well, those with a long track record at the Desert Classic should be your favorites. Since 1984, the champion has averaged winning in his 6th start until 2024 when Nick Dunlap won in his first start.  But things have changed over the years; Jon Rahm played in his fifth start last year when he won the Amex for a second time. In 2022, Hudson Swafford won the Amex a second time in his ninth start. In 2021, Si Woo Kim played in his fourth Amex.  In 2019, Adam Long played in his first American Express; in 2018, Jon Rahm won on his second try.  In 2017, Hudson Swafford won on his fourth start; in 2016, Jason Dufner won on his 7th try.  In 2015, Bill Haas won on his 11th try, while the year before, Patrick Reed won in only his second start.  In 2013, Brian Gay won on his 12th American Express start, while 2012 winner Mark Wilson made his fourth start when he won.  Experience is a must in this event.  Yes, Adam Long won in 2019 in his first Amex, Jhonathan Vegas won the first time around in 2011, and Charley Hoffman in 2007 was the first player to make his Hope debut a victory since Donnie Hammond did it in 1986.  Still consider Dunlap, Long, Hoffman, Vegas, and Reed are exceptions to the rule.
  • As we said before, the winner must make lots of birdies and eagles to win. When it was played over 90 holes, Phil Mickelson made 37 birdies in 2004, while Justin Leonard made 33 in 2005.   D.J. Trahan made 35 in 2008, along with Pat Perez in 2009,  Bill Haas made 34 in 2010, and Jhonathan Vegas made 34 in 2011.  When the event changed to 72 holes in 2012, Mark Wilson made 24 birdies, while Brian Gay made 27 in 2013. In 2014, Patrick Reed went crazy with 30 birdies and two eagles, while in 2015, Bill Haas made one eagle and 22 birdies.  2016 Jason Dufner went low on new courses and had 30 birdies.  In 2017, Hudson Swafford had 26 birdies.  In 2018, Jon Rahm had an eagle and 26 birdies; in 2019, Adam Long made 3 eagles and 24 birdies.  In 2020, Andrew Landry made 31 birdies and not eagles, which helps make the point that to win, they will have to birdie at least 3 out of every 10 holes played.  2021 was a bit different since the Stadium Course was played three times, and winner Si Woo Kim only made one eagle and 23 birdies.  In 2022, when the event returned to three courses, winner Hudson Swafford made 29 birdies and an eagle. In 2023, Jon Rahm won the event, making an eagle and 26 birdies, while last year, Nick Dunlap made three eagles and 26 birdies.
  • Look at someone who destroys the par 5s.  The last 28 winners have averaged a bit under 14 under on them, with Phil Mickelson playing them at 14 under in 2002.  Mike Weir played them in 15 under in 2003, and Phil Mickelson played them in 12 under in 2004.    Justin Leonard played them in 10 under in 2005; Chad Campbell played them in 18 under in 2006, Charley Hoffman played them in 15 under in 2007, while D.J. Trahan was 13 under on them, with Pat Perez setting the record for playing them in 19 under in 2009.  Bill Haas played them in 16 under in 2010, while Jhonathan Vegas was 11 under the last year it was held at 90 holes.  In 2012, Mark Wilson was 15 under, while Brian Gay was 10 under in 2013.  In 2015, Patrick Reed was 14 under on them.  Jason Dufner went low in 2016, playing the par 5s in 12 under.  In 2017, Hudson Swafford broke tradition as he played the par 5s in 8 under, the first time since 1997 that someone was in single figures on the par 5s.  In 2018, Jon Rahm played the par 5s at 13 under par, while in 2019, Adam Long played them at 11 under par.  2020 winner Andrew Landry also played the par 5s in 11 under.  Even though Si Woo Kim had to play the Stadium Course three times, he did great on the par 5s, playing them in 13 under.  In 2022, Hudson Swafford was 12 under on the par 5s, while Jon Rahm was 13 under in 2023.  Last year, Nick Dunlap was 15 under par on the par 5s; he made three eagles on them.
  • The weather will not be picture-perfect as in past years. Temperatures will be in the low-70s each day, with sunny skies. So, with this kind of weather and very little wind, look for low scores.

Who to watch for at The American Express

Best Bets:

Justin Thomas

2025 ’24 ’23 ’22 ’21 ’20 ’19 ’18 ’17 ’16 ’15 ’14 ’13
T3 T7 CUT

I was very high on him at the Sentry and he never came through. He has played in this event three times, but only once since it changed to the Pete Dye Stadium Course took over. He finished T-3rd last year and liked what he saw, so he has returned. Yes, he is one of the favorites.

Sam Burns

2025 ’24 ’23 ’22 ’21 ’20 ’19 ’18 ’17 ’16 ’15 ’14 ’13
T6 T11 CUT T6 T18

He has been out of the top 15 just twice in his last 11 starts and was T-8th at the Sentry. The only difference is that he has played well at the Amex, being out of the top 18 just once in five starts. He was T-11th in 2024 and T-6th last year. He is due to break out and win soon.

Adam Hadwin

2025 ’24 ’23 ’22 ’21 ’20 ’19 ’18 ’17 ’16 ’15 ’14 ’13
T6 T18 T25 T32 T2 T3 2 T6 T48

He has been incredible in his nine Amex starts, with no missed cuts. He has five top-tens, including a T-6th last year and T-3rd in 2018, but he was runner-up in 2017 and ’19. Yes, he hasn’t had a top ten since Memorial and was T-59th at the Sony but didn’t play badly, so Hadwin is an automatic pick for me and who knows if he can run the tables this week.

Best of the rest:

Sungjae Im

2025 ’24 ’23 ’22 ’21 ’20 ’19 ’18 ’17 ’16 ’15 ’14 ’13
T25 T18 T11 T12 T10 T12

If you are looking for a top-five finish, but if you’re looking for a win, he is not your man. In six Amex starts has been in the top-25 all six times. But his best finish is T-10th back in 2020. As for the year, he was 3rd at the Sentry. Since the Masters has had 13 top-25 finishes in 17 starts so he does make a lot of money,

Patrick Cantlay

2025 ’24 ’23 ’22 ’21 ’20 ’19 ’18 ’17 ’16 ’15 ’14 ’13
T52 T26 9 2 T9 CUT

In the last 18 months, has only missed two cuts in 26 starts, but he hasn’t been in the top ten since Travelers, and his game, despite being ok, has not good enough to content. He was 2nd at the Amex, but that was in 2021, since he was 9th in 2022, T-26th in 2023, and T-52nd last year.

Will Zalatoris

2025 ’24 ’23 ’22 ’21 ’20 ’19 ’18 ’17 ’16 ’15 ’14 ’13
T34 T36 T6

This is a guy who is on a comeback trail and ready to break out. He led after a first-round 65 at the Sentry, and I think he is ready to play a great 72 holes. He finished T-6th in this event in 2022, so watch out for him.

Eric Cole

2025 ’24 ’23 ’22 ’21 ’20 ’19 ’18 ’17 ’16 ’15 ’14 ’13
T21 T36

He is another of those players who are on the cusp to win on the PGA Tour finally. He struggled in 2024 but has played great since the U.S. Open. His game was sharp last week at the Sony, finishing 5th.

Brian Harman

2025 ’24 ’23 ’22 ’21 ’20 ’19 ’18 ’17 ’16 ’15 ’14 ’13
CUT T3 T8 T21 CUT T20 T3 T11 T82 CUT

I Like him because he has played well in the past at the Amex including T-3rd finishes in 2017 and 2022. His big problem has been not playing consistent over 72 holes, if he can do that he will do well.

Solid contenders

Tom Kim

2025 ’24 ’23 ’22 ’21 ’20 ’19 ’18 ’17 ’16 ’15 ’14 ’13
CUT T6 CUT

Yes, he won twice in the desert in Las Vegas and finished T-6th at the Amex in 2023. But he missed the cut last year at the Amex and has not been consistent, making him a tough person to judge. I say he is due to break out, and this could be where he will do it.

Max Greyserman

2025 ’24 ’23 ’22 ’21 ’20 ’19 ’18 ’17 ’16 ’15 ’14 ’13
T56

Has has played well of late, with three runner-up finishes over the summer and one in Japan. His stats show that he was 8th in Par Breakers last year and T-12th this year, which is why he is so high.

Cameron Young

2025 ’24 ’23 ’22 ’21 ’20 ’19 ’18 ’17 ’16 ’15 ’14 ’13
T26 T40

His record is not great in this event (best finish in two starts, T-26th in 2023). One thing to watch, he is a streaky player and when he has a good finish he gets better in his next couple of starts. Young was T-8th at the Sentry, so watch him this week I like him a lot.

Nico Echavarria

2025 ’24 ’23 ’22 ’21 ’20 ’19 ’18 ’17 ’16 ’15 ’14 ’13
T65 CUT

He has been on a tear since Black Desert. He won the Zozo, and finished runner-up at the RSM and Sony, I think he will continue to play well this week.

Tom Hoge

2025 ’24 ’23 ’22 ’21 ’20 ’19 ’18 ’17 ’16 ’15 ’14 ’13
T17 T32 2 CUT T6 CUT T57 CUT CUT

He has played well at the Amex, including runner-up in 2022. He has been consistent for years and could be good this week.

Christiaan Bezuidenhout

2025 ’24 ’23 ’22 ’21 ’20 ’19 ’18 ’17 ’16 ’15 ’14 ’13
2 T11 T40

He was runner-up last year, T-11th in 2023, and T-40th in 2022. He has the game to put it together, and this could be a great place for him.

Long shots that could come through:

Erik Van Rooyen

2025 ’24 ’23 ’22 ’21 ’20 ’19 ’18 ’17 ’16 ’15 ’14 ’13
T25 T6 T56

He makes a lot of cuts and has done ok in the Amex including a T-6th in 2023.

Rico Hoey

2025 ’24 ’23 ’22 ’21 ’20 ’19 ’18 ’17 ’16 ’15 ’14 ’13
CUT

He has made his last 14 cuts. He was T-3rd at the Shriners, so he could play well in the desert.

Sam Ryder

2025 ’24 ’23 ’22 ’21 ’20 ’19 ’18 ’17 ’16 ’15 ’14 ’13
T62 CUT T49 T47 T29 T40 T50

He has made six of seven cuts at the Amex.

Lanto Griffin

2025 ’24 ’23 ’22 ’21 ’20 ’19 ’18 ’17 ’16 ’15 ’14 ’13
T39 T3 CUT CUT

Has been consistent on the PGA Tour making nine of ten cuts and was T-3rd at the Amex in 2022.

Aldrich Potgieter

2025 ’24 ’23 ’22 ’21 ’20 ’19 ’18 ’17 ’16 ’15 ’14 ’13
First time playing in this event

I was very high on him last week, but he missed the cut at Sony. I still think he is special player and will play great this week.

Don’t take him this week:

Tony Finau

2025 ’24 ’23 ’22 ’21 ’20 ’19 ’18 ’17 ’16 ’15 ’14 ’13
T25 T16 T40 4 T14 CUT T59

He is still recovering from his October surgery to repair a torn meniscus in his left knee. So, it’s best to take a pass on him. Yes, he was 4th at the 2021 Amex, but not much after that. He was T-25th last year.

Si Woo Kim

2025 ’24 ’23 ’22 ’21 ’20 ’19 ’18 ’17 ’16 ’15 ’14 ’13
T25 T22 T11 Win WD T40 T9

He won the Amex in 2021 but has gone downhill, finishing T-11th in 2022, T-22nd in 2023, and T-25th last year. His play on the PGA Tour has not been great, yes makes a lot of cuts but a T-25th does not help much.

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