Overview of the American Express
The American Express is held annually in La Quinta, California, featuring three desert courses—PGA West Stadium, La Quinta, and the Nicklaus Tournament Course. Known for its birdie-filled environment, this event sees the winner typically shooting 20-under or better. The layout encourages aggressive play with wide fairways and receptive greens, making it a paradise for players with solid wedge and short iron skills. Distance off the tee isn’t a major factor here; rather, precision and putting become crucial.
This tournament often kicks off the PGA Tour season, creating uncertainty as golfers dust off their rust. The betting strategy here focuses on consistent players who can capitalize on the easy scoring conditions, especially for top-20 finishes.
Top Betting Picks
Ben Griffin: Top 20 Bet (-115)
- Top 10 +185
- Top 5 +370
- To win +2000
Ben Griffin continues to impress with his iron play, which is key at the American Express. His tee-to-green game is solid, and his iron approach is among the best, placing him in an excellent position to convert birdies without needing to take unnecessary risks. His balance around the greens and steady putting gives him the edge at this event. At -115 for a top-20 finish, he’s a solid bet for a consistent performance.
Harry Hall: Top 20 Bet (+165)
- Top 10 +350
- Top 5 +700
- To win +4500
Harry Hall excels at these low-scoring tournaments, particularly because of his exceptional putting. The desert courses reward precision iron shots, and Hall has a knack for turning approach shots into birdies. His ability to convert putts when needed, combined with his solid iron play, makes him a strong contender to finish in the top 20, especially with the favorable course conditions.
Should You Bet on Scottie Scheffler at (-150)?
Scottie Scheffler’s odds at -150 might seem attractive, but they come with some risks. As his first tournament of the season, there’s always uncertainty with a player’s performance early on, as they shake off the rust. Moreover, the American Express doesn’t cater to Scheffler’s strengths. This course places more emphasis on putting and short game, areas where Scheffler has been inconsistent. His one top-five finish here in five attempts suggests that he’s more of a steady performer than a standout at this event. At -150, you’re betting on a top-five finish, which might be too high a bar for such a volatile setting.
For now, it’s best to pass on Scheffler, but keep an eye on him for future events.
Daily Fantasy Picks
Kurt Kitayama ($8,700)
Kitayama’s ball-striking makes him a volatile but potentially high-upside DFS pick. When his irons are on, he can create a lot of scoring opportunities quickly. He’s best suited for DFS lineups that can absorb risk and target the highest ceilings, not for those looking for a steady, safe pick.
Lee Hodges ($6,700)
Hodges provides value as a low-cost DFS option. His best finishes come when his ball-striking is on point, making him a risky but affordable play. With his low salary, he’s a solid option if you’re building a lineup that needs to save cap space and chase a high-risk, high-reward outcome.
DFS Player to Fade
Jacob Bridgeman ($7,400)
Despite a T4 finish in his last event, Jacob Bridgeman is overrated for the American Express. His profile doesn’t align with the demands of this tournament. Bridgeman tends to struggle on courses where birdies are mandatory, and his recent performance was more about one good week than consistent excellence. He lacks the sustained scoring ability needed to contend here, so fading him in DFS is the wise move.
