THE AMERICAN EXPRESS

TOURNAMENT PREVIEW JANUARY 18, 2023

THE AMERICAN EXPRESS GOLF TOURNAMENT IS PLAYED ON 3 COURSES:

PETE DYE STADIUM COURSE, PGA WEST NICKLAUS COURSE, PGA WEST STADIUM COURSE, LA QUINTS, CA  

Jan 19-2023 PURSE $8,000,000 + $400,000 + 5% PAR 72

This tournament was established in 1960 as The Palm Springs Golf Classic.  It was renamed the Bob Hope Desert Classic from 1965 until 2019.  It is unique as to its played on 3 courses all par 3’s and over 7,000’.  All pros are paired with an amateur and will play all 3 courses.  The final round will be played on the West Stadium Course by pros only.  Cut will be after 3rd round instead of 2nd.  Arnold Palmer and Jack Nicklaus are previous winers.

Ten of the top 20 players including Colin Morikawa, who will be playing his first tournament since his disaster at the Sentry when he lost a 6 stroke lead, are part of the 144 player field. There were only 8 times this happened.  His performance in this tournament will be carefully watched as to how he responds. 

     CHART OF 8 GOLFERS AND TOURNAMENTS WHERE A 6 STROKE LEAD WAS LOST

Bobby Cruikshank 1923 Florida Open (80)	Sergio Garcia Wachovia Championship (72)
Gay Brewer 1969 Danny Thomas Classic (73)	Spencer Levin 2012 WM Phoenix Open (75)
Hal Sutton 1983 Anheuser-Busch Classic (77)	Dustin Johnson 2017 WGC-HBSC (77)
Greg Norman 1996 Masters (78)	Colin Morikawa 2023 Sentry Championship (72)*

*PS He still won $1,500,000!!! 

FAVORITES	MY FAVORITES
#1 Jon Rahm 6/1	#1 Scottie Scheffler
#2 Patrick Cantlay 11/1	#2 Jon Rahm
#3 Scottie Scheffler 11/1	# Taylor Montgomery
#4 Tony Finau 12/1	#4 Will Zalatoris
#5 Xander Schauffele 20/1	#5 Cameron Young

17th Island Green on West Stadium Course

The Island hole #17 is named Alcatraz, pictured is a dangerous 168’ par 3. It may have an impact on who wins or looses on Sunday.

Photo Creator:Sean Martin

Credit: PGATOUR.COM

Copyright: PGATOUR.COM