The American Express 2025: Preview, field, betting odds, tee times, and how to watch

The PGA Tour begins its West Coast Swing at The American Express. Here’s everything you need to know.

History was made last time around at The American Express when Nick Dunlap became the first amateur to win a PGA Tour event since Phil Mickelson in 1991, moving Dunlap to first in the World Amateur Golf Rankings.

En route to his one-shot victory over Christiaan Bezuidenhout, Dunlap also tied Patrick Cantaly’s record for the lowest round by an amateur on the PGA Tour with a 12-under 60 in round three. The only downside to his week was his ineligibility as an amateur for the $1.5m winner’s cheque, meaning Bezuidenhout was the lucky benefactor on the day.

The University of Alabama star turned pro the following week and eventually found his feet on tour with another win at the Baracuda Championship, becoming the first player ever to win PGA Tour events as an amateur and professional in the same season. The 2024 Rookie of the Year lines up to defend this week.

Who is playing in The American Express?

The headline names committed to playing at The American Express include Xander Schauffele, Patrick Cantlay, Billy Horschel, Tom Kim, Justin Thomas, Sam Burns, Jason Day, and Rickie Fowler.

World No.1 Scottie Scheffler remains sidelined by a hand injury, while many of Europe’s finest including Rory McIlroy, Tommy Fleetwood, and Robert MacIntyre choose to open their 2025 accounts over on the DP World Tour at the Hero Dubai Desert Classic.

See the finalized field here.

Where is The American Express played?

The American Express is held across three diverse courses at the PGA West grounds of La Quinta, California – the Pete Dye Stadium Course (Par 72, 7,187 yards), La Quinta Country Club (Par 72, 7,060 yards), and the Nicklaus Tournament Course (Par 72, 7,159 yards).

Each course demands a slightly different style of golf, but one commonality is that players not hitting a high percentage of greens will struggle to make enough birdies to keep pace with the leaders. The winning score averages close to 30-under par.

See where the Pete Dye Stadium Course ranks in our Top-100 Best Golf Courses in the USA.

What is the format of The American Express?

The American Express, previously known as the Desert Classic, is a traditional strokeplay format, played across three separate par 72 courses.

After playing one round on each course, those players making the 54-hole cut will face off one more time on the Stadium Course to decide who takes the spoils. Scoring is expected to be strong with a projected 10-under likely needed just to earn a tee-time on Sunday.

Who will win The American Express?

Selected odds: TBC

How much will The American Express winner receive?

The purse in 2025 rises by another $400,00 to $8,8m, almost $4m more than the 2011 edition, which was the last before the event was shortened to 72 holes. This year’s winner is set to take home a $1,584,000 share, up from $1,512,000 in 2024. There are also 500 FedEx Cup points on offer as standard for a non-Signature Event.

Who has won The American Express?

How to watch The American Express

US viewers can catch all the action on Golf Channel.

All times EST

Thursday, January 16: The Golf Channel, TBC

Friday, January 17: The Golf Channel, TBC

Saturday, January 18: The Golf Channel, TBC

Sunday, January 19: The Golf Channel, TBC

UK viewers can catch all the action on Sky Sports Golf

All times GMT

Thursday, January 16: Sky Sports Golf, 16.30

Friday, January 17: Sky Sports Golf, 16.30

Saturday, January 18: Sky Sports Golf, 19.00

Sunday, January 19: Sky Sports Golf, 18.00

The American Express: Tee Times

Tee times and groupings can be found here once released.

About the author

Ross Tugwood – Senior Digital Writer

Ross Tugwood is a Senior Digital Writer for todays-golfer.com, specializing in data, analytics, science, and innovation.

Ross is passionate about optimizing sports performance and has a decade of experience working with professional athletes and coaches for British Athletics, the UK Sports Institute, and Team GB.

He is an NCTJ-accredited journalist with post-graduate degrees in Performance Analysis and Sports Journalism, enabling him to critically analyze and review the latest golf equipment and technology to help you make better-informed buying decisions.