#106 THE AMERICAN EXPRESS 

#106 THE AMERICAN EXPRESS 

3 Courses Pete Dye West Stadium

PGA West Nicklaus Tournament 

La Quinta Country Club

La Quinta CA Jan 18-21 2024

Purse $8.4M +$400K 5%

HISTORY 

There will be a field of 156 with 22 of the top 50 playing.  It is a stronger field than last year which is refreshing.  The tournament was established as “The Palm Springs Golf Classic”

in 1960.  It was renamed The Bob Hope Desert Classic from 1965 to 2019.  The unique format has all pros with an amateur for the first 3 rounds at each course.  The cut is after 3 rounds and the remaining pros play the final round at the Pete Dye West Stadium Course for the championship.  Last year Jon Rahm was favorite at 6/1 and won $1,440,000.  

FAVORITE

Scottie Scheffler 6/1 Until he gets his putting under control for 4 RDs I don’t see him winning.

Patrick Cantlay 9/1 My pick, but I picked him as a long shot at Sentry and he was never in it.

Xander Schauffele 10/1 Finished 10th at The Sentry, he is due for a win.

Sungjae Im 20/1 I can’t see how he is #4, no chance.

Justin Thomas 22/1 I do not see him winning, his game is not there yet.

LONGSHOTS

Tom Kim 25/1 If the first 3 don’t win, then it should be him.

J.T.Poston 33/1 At Sony, lowest final RD score 61, and was under par all 4 RDs, watch out.

Akshay Bhatia  If he can putt for 4 RDs as well as he is able, he finally wins, good bet at 55/1.

Chris Kirk 50/1 Playing as well as anyone, he finished 3rd, two strokes off the lead last year.

Tony Finau 35/1 In the best shape ever, if he doesn’t go to LIV, could be ready for a strong 2024

Other than these 10, I don’t see anyone else winning, unless they come out of nowhere like Grayson Murray did last week.

SPECIAL INFORMATION 

The 17th par 3 is an Island green at the West Pete Dye Stadium course.  They will only play this twice so watch when you can.  It is similar to #17 at Sawgrass.