Scheffler Headlines Stacked Field As American Express Tees Off In Palm Springs

The PGA TOUR's 2026 season is already heating up as the American Express returns to the sun-drenched fairways of Palm Springs, California, marking the tour's eagerly anticipated second event of the year. With a unique format and a stacked field, this tournament promises to deliver drama, birdies, and perhaps a few surprises as the West Coast swing gets underway.

Unlike any other event on the PGA calendar, the American Express features a three-course rotation during the first three rounds. Each of the 156 players will tee it up at La Quinta Country Club (par 72, 7,060 yards), the Stadium Course (par 72, 7,210 yards), and the Nicklaus Tournament Course (par 72, 7,147 yards) before the Stadium Course hosts the final round on Sunday, January 26, 2026. This pro-am-style event not only tests the pros but also brings amateurs into the mix, adding to the lively atmosphere and the challenge of adapting to different layouts each day.

Last year, Sepp Straka set the bar high, clinching victory with a blistering 25-under-par, and he returns this week to defend his title. The field is nothing short of formidable, headlined by World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler, who is making his 2026 debut after skipping the Hawaii opener. Scheffler, a four-time major winner, tees off at 12:14 p.m. ET on Thursday and enters as the clear favorite at +300 odds, according to SportsLine and FanDuel. However, history suggests he might face a tough road—he's managed just one top-10 finish in five previous appearances at this event, a stat that adds an intriguing layer to his return.

Joining Scheffler are a slew of notables: Ludvig Aberg, Patrick Cantlay, Sam Burns, Ben Griffin, and 2022 U.S. Open champion Matt Fitzpatrick. The field is packed with firepower, and the competition for the early-season points and momentum is fierce. Defending champ Straka, meanwhile, is looking to make a statement in his season debut, hoping to repeat his heroics from twelve months ago.

The American Express is notorious for producing low scores, thanks to its trio of relatively short, player-friendly par 72s. Each course offers its own quirks, but all reward aggressive play—especially if the weather holds and the wind stays calm. As Geoff Ulrich noted in his DraftKings Pick6 preview, "Both La Quinta and the Nicklaus Tournament venue play as very short par 72s and pop up as some of the easiest to score on every season. The rough at both courses is non-penal, and there’s little in the way of dangerous hazards." With the Stadium Course, players face a Pete Dye design reminiscent of TPC Sawgrass, complete with over 90 bunkers and a replica of the iconic island green 17th. While the greens are smaller and sand is plentiful, scrambling rates are higher here than the PGA TOUR average, so players with sharp iron play and solid putting from inside 20 feet could have a distinct edge.

Fantasy players and bettors are already dissecting the field, with DraftKings Pick6 offering a fresh layer of excitement. For those eyeing the daily fantasy angle, Ulrich highlighted a few top picks for Round 1: Bud Cauley, projected for more than 5.5 birdies or better, starts at La Quinta—the softest landing spot for scoring. "He’s got a solid track record at this week’s venue, having finished in the top five here in 2018," Ulrich wrote, pointing to Cauley’s precise short-iron play and recent form. Andrew Novak, another player with a knack for Dye-designed tracks, is projected to shoot less than 68.5 strokes, also teeing off at La Quinta. Novak, ranked 32nd in the world, is coming off a strong fall and seems poised to attack the relatively benign setup.

On the flip side, Matt Fitzpatrick, despite his credentials as a former U.S. Open winner, is projected for more than 67.5 strokes in his first round at the tougher Nicklaus Tournament venue. This is Fitzpatrick’s debut at the American Express, but he arrives with momentum, having closed out 2025 with four top-10 finishes in his last six starts. The SportsLine computer model, which simulated the tournament 10,000 times, lists Fitzpatrick as a top-four contender this week, even though he’s a +3500 longshot. His strong finish to last season and top-30 rankings in both Strokes Gained: Total and Putting have made him a popular sleeper pick among analysts.

Speaking of sleepers, Lee Hodges and Sami Valimaki are also drawing attention. Hodges, who opened 2026 with a T6 finish in Hawaii and ended 2025 with back-to-back top-six results, has a history of strong showings at the American Express, including a T3 in 2022. Valimaki, meanwhile, is making his 2026 debut after three consecutive top-20s to close last season and a breakthrough win at the RSM Classic. His elite putting—he ranked 10th on the PGA TOUR last year—could be a difference-maker on these birdie-friendly greens.

Among the favorites, Daniel Berger and Si Woo Kim are both pegged as likely contenders. Berger, a four-time PGA TOUR winner, is coming off a T6 in Hawaii and has a solid track record in California, including a win at Pebble Beach and a T12 at the American Express in 2019. Si Woo Kim, who won this event in 2021, has notched eight top-21 finishes in his last eight starts worldwide and seems to thrive on these West Coast layouts. "Kim has four top-25s in his last five starts here, and the four-time PGA Tour winner could be set for another big week in California in 2026," noted one analyst.

Of course, not every favorite is a lock for success. The SportsLine model predicts Sam Burns, a +2500 favorite, will struggle to crack the top 10 despite his pedigree. Burns has had his ups and downs, with a pair of top-10s at this event but no top-5s, and he finished T29 last year. The model’s call to fade Burns is just one example of how unpredictable this event can be.

For fans and fantasy players alike, the American Express offers a perfect storm of star power, scoring fireworks, and the ever-present possibility of an underdog stealing the spotlight. With the weather forecast looking ideal and the courses set up for low scores, expect another wild ride as the PGA TOUR’s best battle it out in the California desert.

As the opening round approaches, all eyes will be on Scheffler, Straka, and the chasing pack. Will the world No. 1 finally conquer the Stadium Course? Can a sleeper like Hodges or Valimaki break through? Or will a new name emerge from the pack to claim the trophy? For now, the only certainty is that the action in Palm Springs is just getting started—and golf fans everywhere should buckle up for a thrilling week.