PGA Tour returns to the mainland this week with The American Express
Five out of the top ten in the OWGR in the field
Ten of the top 20 players in the Official World Golf Ranking are set to tee it up this week in the Coachella Valley as the PGA Tour makes its return to the mainland for the third event of the year, The American Express boasting an $8 million prizefund, Thursday 19th – Sunday 22nd January, 2023
Three courses will once again be in use for The American Express, while those who make the 54 hole cut will play PGA West’s Stadium Course for the final round.
The three courses to be played this week are: PGA West (Stadium Course): 7,187 yards, par 72, La Quinta Country Club: 7,060 yards, par 72 and PGA West (Nicklaus Tournament Course): 7,147 yards, par 72.
World Number Two Scottie Scheffler (US) headlines the field along with other top ten players: Jon Rahm (3 in OWGR, Spain), Patrick Cantlay (5 in OWGR, US), Xander Schauffele (6 in OWGR, US) and Will Zalatoris (7 in OWGR, US).
Ten of the top 20 on the FedEx Cup Rankings are in the field led by Tom Kim (Korea) in third place and Jon Rahm one place behind. This week carries 500 FedEx Cup Points.
This week is one of two Pro-Am formats on the PGA Tour calendar, along with the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am. Each Pro and his Amateur partner will play for three rounds at each of the courses before the low 65 Pros (and ties) will play their final round at PGA West’s Stadium Course.
The American Express is one of the longest-tenured PGA Tour events. This year marks the 64th edition. This year also marks the 50th anniversary of Arnold Palmer earning his 62nd and final PGA Tour win at this event in 1973
In last year’s tournament Hudson Swafford (US) captured The American Express for the second time in five years after a final-round eight under par 64. Swafford also won the event in 2017.