Top Picks and Best Odds for PGA Tour’s American Express

The 2026 PGA TOUR season commenced with Chris Gotterup claiming victory at the Sony Open in Honolulu. Gotterup, who was a 50/1 pick prior to the tournament, secured a two-shot win with a total score of 16 under par. Ryan Gerard achieved his best PGA TOUR finish by placing second at 14 under, while Patrick Rodgers finished third at 13 under. The top five was completed by Robert MacIntyre and Jacob Bridgeman, both at 12 under. Notably, Davis Riley, the 54-hole leader, finished tied for sixth at 11 under.

Upcoming Event: The American Express

This week, attention turns to The American Express, set in the picturesque Coachella Valley, Southern California. The tournament has an impressive lineup, featuring 11 of the top 25 players in the Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR). World No.1 Scottie Scheffler, with odds of 3/1, highlights this year’s field as he makes his debut of the season.

Top Odds and Key Competitors

Beyond Scheffler, several other notable golfers have favorable odds:

• Ben Griffin: 22/1
• Ludvig Åberg: 25/1
• Robert MacIntyre: 25/1
• Russell Henley: 25/1
• Patrick Cantlay: 30/1
• Si Woo Kim: 35/1
• Sam Burns: 35/1
• Matt Fitzpatrick: 40/1
• Defending champion Sepp Straka: 45/1

A Legacy of The American Express

The American Express has undergone several name changes since its inception in 1960, originally known as the Palm Springs Classic. It became known as the “Bob Hope Classic” from 1965 until 2011, recognizing the late entertainer’s longstanding connection to the event. Esteemed winners include Arnold Palmer and Phil Mickelson.

In 1995, the event memorably featured three U.S. Presidents participating alongside Hope and then-champion Scott Hoch. Historically, the tournament has evolved from five days over four courses to a four-day format using three distinct courses.

The Courses

This year’s tournament will rotate among three courses:

• PGA West Stadium Course: Designed by Pete Dye in 1986, this Par 72 course measures 7,210 yards. It’s known for its challenging layout, averaging 71.35 strokes during last year’s tournament.
• PGA West Nicklaus Tournament Course: Created by Jack Nicklaus in 1987, this course is also a Par 72 but shorter, at 7,147 yards. It has consistently ranked as one of the easier courses on TOUR.
• La Quinta Country Club: Established in 1959 and redesigned in 1999, La Quinta measures 7,060 yards and maintains a reputation for its accessibility to scoring.

Notable Trends in Performance

Recent statistics reveal that successful contenders often have a significant edge in strokes gained, particularly on approach shots. Key data from the 2025 PGA TOUR season includes:

Selections to Watch

Some potential picks for this week’s tournament include:

• Russell Henley (25/1): Finished T19 at the Sony Open and excels in strokes gained metrics.
• Daniel Berger (60/1): Shows promise after a solid T6 finish at the previous tournament.
• Ryan Gerard (66/1): After a runner-up finish at the Sony Open, he’s a strong contender.
• Pierceson Coody (90/1): Known for his birdie-making ability, he’s capable of posting low scores.

As the tournament unfolds, each participant’s performance on these historically favorable courses will play a critical role in determining the victor of The American Express.