This weekend, in LaQuinta, California, the PGA TOUR is hosting The American Express. The American Express will be held at several venues from Thursday, January 19, through Sunday, January 22.
On Thursday, the PGA Tour will return to the continental United States for The American Express 2023 in Coachella Valley. In 2022, just eight of the world’s top 30 golfers competed in this tournament, but in 2023, ten of the top 20 golfers in the official rankings will compete in the American Express. Among the field’s top players is 2018 winner Jon Rahm, fresh off his victory at the Sentry Tournament of Champions. Recent American Express odds place Rahm as the 11-2 favourite in 2023, with Patrick Cantlay at 19-2 and Scheffler at 11-1.
Three of Rahm’s past five starts have resulted in victories.
How to watch The American Express Live
Live Broadcast: The American Express Live (Try it for free).
The American Express Overview
The American Express is a professional golf event that has been a part of the PGA Tour since it began in 1999. Since its inception in 1960, it has been played exclusively in Riverside County, California. It is now staged at three world-class courses: PGA West’s Stadium, Nicklaus Tournament Courses, and La Quinta Country Club.
The Desert Classic used to get a lot of attention due to the celebrity Pro-Am round. Past participants include President Dwight Eisenhower, Frank Sinatra, Kirk Douglas, Samuel L. Jackson, and many more. Even without the star-studded Pro-Ams, the American Express Championship is still a highlight of the PGA Tour season.
In 2022, Hudson Swafford repeated as champion, finishing two strokes ahead of runner-up Tom Hoge.
The American Express Field Details
PGA Tour – The American Express will adopt a three-pronged strategy. There are three courses in the area, all with 72-hole par structures:
- PGA West (Stadium Course), 7,187 yards
- La Quinta Country Club, 7,060 yards
- PGA West (Nicklaus Tournament Course), 7,147 yards
An unorthodox Saturday afternoon cut will determine who plays in the final round at the PGA West Stadium Course, with just the top 65 players and ties teeing off on Sunday.
Jon Rahm, Xander Schauffele, Tony Finau, and Tom Kim, four of the world’s top twenty golfers, will compete for a first-place reward of $1.44 million.
In 2022, Hudson Swafford shot a final-round eight under par 64 to win The American Express for the second time in the last five years. As Swafford now competes on the LIV Tour, a new champion will emerge this season.
The American Express top forecasts for 2023
Cantlay, an eight-time PGA Tour champion and one of the favourites at +950, is predicted to falter this week and finish outside the top five, which would be a massive upset at The American Express 2023. In 2021, Cantlay shot a final-round 61 at PGA West’s Stadium Course to secure a runner-up finish.
Cantlay is rated 132nd in strokes gained: around the green and 133rd in strokes gained: approach the green. However, he is placed 133rd in both categories heading into this week’s competition (-.099). Furthermore, he is ranked 100th on the PGA Tour in approaches from inside 100 yards. This week, he may struggle and fail to win because of his incapacity to score from close range. There are better bargains in the 2023 American Express field than he. Thus he is not a recommended selection to win the tournament.
Another unexpected development is the championship challenge put up by 45-1 longshot Taylor Montgomery. Because his odds of winning are higher than they seem, he is a favourite betting target for those seeking a windfall. Since this tournament has always been a birdie bonanza, we don’t expect that trend to alter this weekend. Montgomery is a perfect example of the type of PGA Tour underdog that has benefited from the value created by the stacked field.
The rookie has played in eight events this season and has seven top-15 results. He is currently ranked seventh on the PGA Tour in strokes gained from putting. Last week, he shot a 12-under par round in the Sony Open and tied for 12th place. SportsLine’s model predicts that Montgomery is undervalued in the betting market because of his inexperience, even though he has the physical attributes necessary to win tournaments of this type.