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Scheffler Tees Off: Can He Conquer The American Express?
22 Jan
Summary
- The American Express features the season's largest domestic PGA Tour field.
- Scottie Scheffler, world No. 1, seeks his first win at this event.
- 13 of the world's top 30 golfers are competing, making it strongest field in decades.
The PGA Tour's 2026 season officially begins with The American Express in La Quinta, California, hosting the largest domestic field of the year. World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler is set to compete, aiming for his first win at this event, despite a remarkable streak of never finishing outside the top 10 since March 2025. The tournament boasts its strongest field in over two decades, with 13 of the top 30 players in the world rankings participating across three courses: PGA West (Nicklaus and Palmer courses) and La Quinta Country Club.
Many players, including former U.S. Open champion Wyndham Clark, are looking to shake off competitive rust after the offseason. Clark noted that while Kapalua's Tournament of Champions is typically preferred for its relaxed atmosphere, The American Express offers a more direct gauge of a player's game due to its challenging courses. Defending champion Sepp Straka aims to repeat his success from the previous year, marking the 50th anniversary of Johnny Miller's last back-to-back victory at this event. Ludvig Aberg, a newcomer to this tournament, expressed his excitement to feel the competitive adrenaline and test his offseason improvements on the desert courses.
