2020 The American Express Preview

January 14 2020 – THE GOLF SOCIETY

After two weeks in Hawaii, the PGA Tour returns to the mainland for the 60th Annual The American Express. Last year, Adam Long shocked the golf world with his gritty one-shot victory over Adam Hadwin and Phil Mickelson. This year, Long will be defending his first PGA Tour title against some of the game’s biggest stars in the first of two early-season Pro-Ams. Phil Mickelson, a two-time winner of this event, will also be serving as the official tournament host; other past winners of The American Express include 2016 champion Jason Dufner along with 2017 winner Hudson Swafford. There are also several California natives in the field this week, including4-time PGA Tour winners Kevin Na, and Charley Hoffman.

LOCATION

After years of being a 90-hole event, the tournament is now 72 holes, with a 54-hole cut for both pros and their amateur partners. The American Express will be played on three different courses: LaQuinta CC, PGA West Stadium Course, and PGA West Tournament Course, with the final round being played at PGA West Stadium.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Brendan Steele: A 3-time winner on the PGA Tour, an untimely bogey on the 71st hole in last week’s Sony Open derailed his chances at a fourth. Another Southern California native, he grew up about an hour from the course, and two of his wins have occurred in California as well. If he can stay patient during the relatively slow Pro-Am rounds, he has a great chance to earn another victory.

Matthew Wolff: One of the few young guns who has lived up to the hype, Matthew already has 3 top-20 finishes in 4 starts this season. Currently ranked inside the top 100 of the Official WorldGolf Rankings, he has plenty to play for with the upcoming WGC Match Play inMarch