American Express 2023 predictions, expert picks, odds, field standings, golf best bets at PGA West

The biggest field of the year young will set foot on the PGA West for the 2023 American Express this week. With 156 players, competitors will be tasked with pulling in their playing partners as the first of two California pro tournaments looms. Spread across three different golf courses within PGA West facilities, The American Express will feature a 54-hole cut instead of the standard 36-hole cut seen weekly.

Set in the Nicklaus Stadium and Fields at PGA West and La Quinta Country Club, The American Express is considered by some to be a “golf competition”. The person responsible for coining such a description is world number 5 and recent Tournament of Champions winner, Jon Rahm.

Rahm will lead the action and be joined by a surprisingly strong field for a standard, unspecified PGA Tour event. In fact, 10 of the world’s top 20 players will compete at The American Express including world No. 2 Scottie Scheffler and world No. 6 Xander Schauffele, who returned to play after withdrawing. withdraw from the Tournament of Champions.

Patrick Cantlay, Tony Finau, Will Zalatoris, Cameron Young, Sam Burns, Tom Kim and Sungjae Im are among a long list of big names looking to start their year in the Coachella Valley.

Information & Events

Incident: 2023 American Express | Day: January 19-22
Position: PGA West (Stadium, Nicklaus Arena, La Quinta CC) — La Quinta, Calfornia
Fate: 72 | Yard: 7,060 | Purse: $8,000,000

Rick Gehman joins Kyle Porter and Patrick McDonald for a preview of American Express 2023. Watch and listen to The First Cut on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

Field 2023 American Express, odds

Odds Courtesy of Caesars Sportsbook

• Jon Rahm (6-1): Oh how the turn tables have turned. A year after expressing displeasure with the organization of this tournament, Rahm became one of the best putters in the world in his last seven measured events. During this time period, the Spaniard has averaged +1.46 strokes per round, nearly double the average of Tour leader Lucas Herbert in 2022. This has resulted in three victories include his 2023 debut at the League of Champions. Oddly enough, he’s already lost shots approaching Kapalua, but given his familiarity with the desert setting, an iron return will be available for the 2018 champion.
• Scottie Scheffler (10-1): The top-ranked player in the field, Scheffler nearly regained world No. 1 at the Tournament of Champions before a poor final round. Finally finishing in T7, his performance at Kapalua marked his sixth time in the top 10 in his last seven starts. He leads the field in terms of hits from tee to green over the past six months, averaging +1.94 strokes per round as the hitter finally shows signs of life. If he can keep putting putts consistently, he’ll be back in the winner’s circle.
• Patrick Cantlay (11-1)
• Tony Finau (14-1)
• Sungjae Im (18-1): Im’s missed opportunity at the Sony Open is surprising and only marks his fourth missed weekend in the last 25 starts on the PGA Tour. The good news for the Korean player is that he is back in the tournament where he has consistently performed well. On the previous four trips to Palm Springs, Im has scored T11, T12, T10 and T12 finishes. On the verge of contention in each case, perhaps his compatriot who won the Sony Open will provide the impetus to push him to fit in.
• Will Zalatoris (20-1)
• Xander Schauffele (20-1): This is a new place on the schedule for Schauffele, who hasn’t played at The American Express since his rookie year in 2017. Was forced to withdraw in the second round of the Champions League due to an injury. back injury, all systems are in good working order to re-enter the competition. Before leaving Kapalua early, Schauffele finished in 4th, T9, 4, T3. With a strong background in desert golf, don’t be surprised if the world No. 6 is available next Sunday.
• Cameron Young (20-1)
• Tom Kim (January 20): Of course, the 20-year-old played well at Kapalua and then burst onto the scene at Waialae Country Club. While in theory the latter is a more ideal fit, Kim continues to challenge conventional wisdom. A Las Vegas desert winner at the Shriners Children’s Open, the PGA West spin will be right up his alley. For the past 12 months, Kim has been first in the field for distances from 100-150 yards and first at 150-200 yards. After losing almost seven on the grass to Waialae, just getting back to the baseline with putter would put him in a good position to win his third PGA Tour title.
• Sam Burns (January 28)

American Express Expert’s Pick 2023