Get ready for an exciting start to the 2026 PGA Tour season! The American Express tournament is already shaping up to be a thrilling event, with low scores and impressive performances from some of the world's top golfers.
The Return of the World No. 1
Scottie Scheffler, the reigning World No. 1, made a spectacular comeback in his first appearance of the year. After a brief hiatus since the Hero World Challenge in December, Scheffler hit the ground running with an early birdie surge. He birdied five of his first six holes, an incredible start that set the tone for the rest of his round.
A Three-Course Challenge
The American Express tournament is unique in that it features a 156-player field spread across three different courses in La Quinta. After the initial 54 holes, the field is cut down, and the final round takes place on the Pete Dye Stadium Course.
Scheffler's Stellar Round
Playing on the La Quinta Country Club course, Scheffler continued his impressive run. He added another birdie at the par-four eighth, and by the turn, he had a remarkable score of 30. Birdies at the 12th, 13th, and 17th (where he chipped in from the rough) secured an opening-round 63, leaving him just one shot behind the co-leaders, Min Woo Lee and Pierceson Coody, who both finished at 10 under after rounds of 62.
The Spectator's Role
Scheffler's round wasn't without its moments of drama. His ball struck a spectator when he went left off the tee at the 16th, but he kept his cool and maintained a bogey-free card for the entire day. This nine-under total was his best in 19 career rounds at this tournament, a testament to his consistent excellence.
More Low Scores and Surprises
Scotland's Robert MacIntyre, playing on the Nicklaus Tournament Course, also shot an impressive 63. Fresh off a tied fourth-place finish in Hawaii last week, MacIntyre birdied his first five holes on Thursday, a brilliant start that set him up for a strong round.
The Nicklaus course proved to be a low-scoring haven, with 70 players finishing at least five under par and 130 players under par for the day. However, only two players managed to post 62s - Min Woo Lee and Pierceson Coody.
Lee, starting from the 10th, made five birdies on either side of the turn, while Coody's round was highlighted by a run of seven successive birdies from the 11th hole onwards.
Challenges for Some
While many players thrived, not everyone had an easy time. Justin Rose finished at level par, tied for 131st place, after a round at La Quinta Country Club that included a double-bogey at the par-three seventh.
American Brian Harman suffered an embarrassing moment when he mistakenly hit the ball of a Pro-Am amateur in his group from the fairway into the 10th, resulting in a two-shot penalty. He then compounded his troubles by finding the water with his second shot at the 11th, leading to another double bogey. Harman finished his round at one over.
Where to Watch
Don't miss any of the action! You can watch every round of The American Express live on Sky Sports Golf, with early coverage on Friday starting at 4.30 pm. You can also stream the PGA Tour, DP World Tour, and LPGA Tour on NOW.
Stay tuned for more updates and exciting moments from The American Express tournament! Who do you think will emerge as the champion? Let us know in the comments!
