Golf
The American Express Predictions & Betting Tips (2026)
World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler returns to the Coachella Valley for the first time since 2024 to compete in The American Express at La Quinta Country Club, California.
In addition to Scheffler, 11 other players currently ranked among the top 25 in the Official World Golf Rankings line up this week.
The players will compete on each of the three courses in the rotation — the Pete Dye Stadium Course at PGA West, Nicklaus Tournament Course at PGA West and La Quinta Country Club — over the first three rounds. Any players making the cut will play the final round on the Stadium Course.
Here are my five against the field in Hawaii this week:
Sam Burns (22/1)
If Scottie Scheffler is cold out of the blocks this week, then Sam Burns is the perfect player to have in your betting portfolio this week.
A five-time PGA Tour winner, Burns came close to winning the 2024 American Express tournament before hitting a shot into the water on the par-3 17th hole in the final round to end up tied for sixth place.
Selected for the United States in the last two Ryder Cups, Burns certainly holds an infinity with this event, having once shot a career low of 61 in it. He’s also a generous looking price in the betting too.
Robert MacIntyre (25/1)
MacIntyre has opted to begin his season on the PGA Tour, choosing to miss the two Dubai tournaments in favour of the Sony Open and The American Express.
The Scotsman carded a best-of-the-day 63 in his final round to finish in a share of fourth at the Sony Open last week, but blamed his “attitude” earlier in the tournament for falling to gain the outright win.
I’m pretty sure he’ll be out to make amends at La Quinta.
Si Woo Kim (40/1)
Kim was another who played extremely well in Hawaii last weekend and surprisingly starts as a 40/1 shot for this latest PGA Tour event.
Finishing six shots behind the tournament winner Chris Gutterup, Kim will come into this week full of confidence, and will be buoyed by the fact that in 2021, he shot a bogey-free 64 in the final round of this competition to edge out Patrick Cantlay.
Horses for courses spring to mind!
Justin Rose (60/1)
English player Rose was instrumental in Europe’s latest Ryder Cup success and he is convinced that he will make the team again for its next renewal.
Last season he rose from 52nd in the world and ended it in 10th place, courtesy in part to his runner-up finish at Augusta National and landing the FedEx St Jude.
The multiple course format will suit the veteran performer well and I envisage him finishing in the top five.
Luke Clanton (200/1)
Luke Clanton has been bulking up over the closed season, and what worked for Bryson DeChambeau, will hopefully work for this 22-year-old from Florida.
The rising star failed to make the cut last week in the Sony, finishing on a score of +1, but I can see him doing much better this week and his odds of 200/1 are well worth a small each-way play.
*Odds subject to change – prices accurate at the time of writing*
