American Express: What to know for Tour's week in the desert
After a two-week trip around the Hawaiian islands, the PGA Tour returns stateside for The American Express in La Quinta, California, hosted by Phil Mickelson.
The event, formerly titled with a number of different names but most recognizable as the Bob Hope Classic, is usually a pro-am played over three courses with a cut after 54 holes. However, due to COVID-19's presence in California, the tournament won't have any amateurs in 2021 and will only be played on two courses with a standard 36-hole cut.
When: Jan. 21-24
Where: La Quinta, California
How to watch
| Date | Channel | Time (ET) |
|---|---|---|
| Thurs. Jan 21 | Golf Channel | 3-7 p.m. |
| Fri. Jan. 22 | Golf Channel | 3-7 p.m. |
| Sat. Jan. 23 | Golf Channel | 3-7 p.m. |
| Sun. Jan. 24 | Golf Channel | 3-7 p.m. |
Prior result
In 2020, Andrew Landry outdueled Abraham Ancer and Scottie Scheffler - two players looking for their first PGA Tour win - by posting a final-round 67 to secure his second PGA Tour title by two shots.
The 2019 edition of the event - called the Desert Classic - may be more memorable when 500-1 longshot Adam Long drained a 13-foot birdie on No. 18 to beat Phil Mickelson and Adam Hadwin by one.
Previous Winners
2020: Andrew Landry (-26) over Abraham Ancer
2019: Adam Long (-26) over Phil Mickelson, Adam Hadwin
2018: Jon Rahm (-22) in a playoff over Andrew Landry
2017: Hudson Swafford over Adam Hadwin
2016: Jason Dufner (-25) in a playoff over David Lingmerth
2015: Bill Haas (-22) over five players
2014: Patrick Reed (-28) over Ryan Palmer
2013: Brian Gay (-25) over Charles Howell III, David Lingmerth
The field
This week's strength of field took a hit when former winner Jon Rahm withdrew for unknown reasons. However, Patrick Cantlay, Brooks Koepka, Patrick Reed, and Tony Finau are all in La Quinta to headline the 156-man field.
Young stars Scheffler, Sungjae Im, and Matthew Wolff are also among the favorites to hoist the trophy come Sunday. Mickelson will be in the California desert fulfilling his tournament-host duties as well.
Featured groups (all times ET)
Group: Brooks Koepka, Cameron Champ, Paul Casey
Thursday - 12:40 p.m. (NT)
Friday - 1:40 p.m. (SC)
Group: Phil Mickelson, Rickie Fowler, Patrick Cantlay
Thursday - 12:50 p.m. (NT)
Friday - 1:50 p.m. (SC)
Group: Gary Woodland, Andrew Landry, Patrick Reed
Thursday - 1:40 p.m. (SC)
Friday - 12:30 p.m. (NT)
Group: Tony Finau, Matthew Wolff, Kevin Na
Thursday - 1:50 p.m. (SC)
Friday - 12:40 p.m. (NT)
(NT - Nicklaus Tournament, SC - Stadium Course)
The full list of groups and tee times can be found here.
The course
With La Quinta Country Club out of the rotation for 2021, Nicklaus Tournament Course and the Stadium Course at PGA West will be played on Days 1 and 2 before the cut is made after 36 holes. The top 65, including ties after Round 2, will head to the Stadium Course for the weekend.
Nicklaus Tournament Course is a 7,181-yard, par 72, and is the easier of the two. Despite being slightly shorter at 7,147 yards, the Stadium Course designed by Pete Dye provides a tougher test with a thrilling set of finishing holes, including an island green on No. 17 resembling the same one Dye built at TPC Sawgrass.
Betting corner
Brooks Koepka +1200
Patrick Cantlay +1300
Patrick Reed +1500
Scottie Scheffler +1500
Tony Finau +1600
Sungjae Im +2000
Matthew Wolff +2200
Abraham Ancer +2800
Russell Henley +3200
Cameron Champ +4000
Charles Howell III +4000
Rickie Fowler +4000
Sam Burns +4000
Kevin Na +4500
Paul Casey +4500
Si Woo Kim +4500
(Odds source: theScore Bet)