Scheffler And Brown Share Lead At American Express

The 2026 American Express PGA Tour event in La Quinta, California, is shaping up to be a tournament for the ages, with two names stealing the spotlight as the action heads into its crucial weekend stretch. After a thrilling second round on January 23, the leaderboard is ablaze with World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler and 18-year-old Blades Brown tied at a jaw-dropping 17 under par. The drama, excitement, and a dash of uncertainty about the very future of the PGA Tour itself are keeping golf fans glued to every shot and every leaderboard update.

Let’s set the stage. The American Express, the PGA Tour’s first mainland tournament of 2026, is a unique beast—no 36-hole cut here. Instead, the massive 156-player field navigates three distinct courses: the Pete Dye Stadium Course at PGA West, the Nicklaus Tournament Course at PGA West, and La Quinta Country Club. Each golfer plays one round at each venue over the first three days. Then, after the third round, a 54-hole cut determines who will compete in Sunday’s final showdown at the Stadium Course. The stakes? A hefty $9.2 million purse, with $1.656 million awaiting the winner.

Scottie Scheffler, making his season debut, has picked up right where he left off last year—playing flawless, methodical golf. Through 36 holes, Scheffler is bogey-free, capping his Friday round with an 8-under 64 on the Nicklaus Tournament Course. His consistency and calm under pressure have been nothing short of remarkable. "We're halfway done, but I put myself in good position after two days with two solid rounds, and just looking forward to hopefully putting up another solid round tomorrow and then we'll see where we're at going into Sunday," Scheffler told reporters after his round. He acknowledged the quirks of the tournament’s format, adding, "It's a little bit of a different format where you got guys spread across different golf courses, and I got the challenging [Pete Dye Stadium] course tomorrow and looking forward to getting out there."

But it’s not just the seasoned pros making headlines. Enter Blades Brown, the 18-year-old sensation from Nashville, who is redefining what’s possible for a teenager on the PGA Tour. Playing his sixth straight day of competitive golf—having just wrapped up the Korn Ferry Tour’s Great Abaco Classic in the Bahamas on Wednesday—Brown electrified the field with a course record 12-under 60 on Friday. He flirted with history all afternoon, coming within a whisker of joining the ultra-exclusive club of players who have broken 60 on Tour. "These golf courses are so money. I just came from Abaco and it was blowing 30 and the greens were probably 10," Brown said. "And then here it's 13 and perfect. So when the golf courses are great and there's no wind, golf's really a lot of fun."

Brown’s round was nothing short of spectacular. He began his day with six birdies and an eagle in his first seven holes, surging up the leaderboard and grabbing the attention of fans and fellow players alike. As he reached the par-4 ninth—his final hole—he needed a birdie to card a 59. His second shot landed just eight feet from the pin, but two putts later, he settled for a 60. Still, it’s a round that will be talked about for years to come, especially given his youth and the pressure of the moment. "I got off to a hot start, and then I just tried to execute shots I could. And then by the time we made the turn I said, 'Okay, you know, couple birdies here on the front nine, let's see how low we can go.' When I stepped onto 18 tee box I knew what was at stake. I knew I needed a birdie to shoot 59, and I was just close this time. Folks, this might happen," Brown recounted.

As the day wore on, the leaderboard was a revolving door of contenders. Si Woo Kim, S.H. Kim, Matt McCarty, and others posted impressive numbers, but it was Scheffler and Brown who ended Friday knotted atop the standings. Scheffler’s steady play included back-to-back birdies on the fifth and sixth holes, while Brown’s early fireworks kept him in the hunt. The pair’s duel at the top is setting up a tantalizing weekend, with both players showing no signs of letting up.

Elsewhere in the field, first-round co-leaders Min Woo Lee and Pierceson Coody, who both opened with 10-under 62s, remained in the mix, while big names like Jason Day, Will Zalatoris, Adam Scott, and Billy Horschel all made strong opening statements. Defending champion Sepp Straka and major winner Justin Rose, however, struggled out of the gate, but with no cut until Saturday, they have an extra day to turn things around.

Fans craving every moment of the action can catch the tournament live on Golf Channel from 4-7 p.m. ET, with streaming available via ESPN+ and Fubo. The event’s three-course rotation and late cut keep the leaderboard fluid and the suspense high—perfect for a tournament that already feels like a classic in the making.

Beneath the surface of all this on-course drama, there’s another story percolating: the uncertainty surrounding the future of the PGA Tour itself. With whispers of structural changes and a possible smaller tour on the horizon, even the sport’s top players admit they’re in the dark. "I'm as curious as you guys," Scheffler said with a smile when asked about the rumored changes to the Tour. The sentiment among players at The American Express was a mix of appreciation for the event and curiosity about what’s next for professional golf.

The weather in La Quinta has been near-perfect—highs in the mid-70s with only a slight chance of rain—setting the stage for low scores and memorable moments. The courses themselves, each with their own personality and challenges, have provided a fitting backdrop for the week’s fireworks. The Pete Dye Stadium Course is known for its drama, the Nicklaus Tournament Course for its island greens, and the La Quinta Country Club for its storied history and classic layout.

As the tournament heads into Saturday’s pivotal third round, all eyes will be on Scheffler and Brown. Can the World No. 1 maintain his steely composure and add another title to his growing resume? Or will the teenage phenom continue his magical run and pull off one of the most remarkable upsets in recent PGA Tour memory? With a 54-hole cut looming and a packed leaderboard, the American Express is far from decided.

One thing is certain: golf fans are in for a treat this weekend in La Quinta. Whether it’s the steady brilliance of Scottie Scheffler or the fearless charge of Blades Brown, the 2026 American Express is delivering drama, excitement, and a glimpse of the sport’s bright future—all while the game itself stands on the brink of transformation.

Stay tuned as the action unfolds, with the promise of more thrills, more surprises, and perhaps a few more records to fall before the final putt drops on Sunday.