2024 The American Express Preview, Picks & Analysis

Twelve months ago Jon Rahm was in the middle of an extraordinary run of form. He had won The Sentry Tournament of Champions and followed it by claiming The American Express.

Obviously, his defection to LIV Golf means that the Spaniard will not be defending his American Express title this week, but there will still be a world-class field in action.

Rory McIlroy is in Dubai preparing for the Dubai Desert Classic but Scottie Scheffler, Patrick Cantlay, Xander Schauffele, Tom Kim and Tony Finau have all committed to La Quinta, California. 

There is also a significant European presence, with Robert MacIntyre, Alexander Bjork, Shane Lowry, Seamus Power and Matt Wallace all opting to tee it up here rather than playing in Dubai.

As a result of their play on the DP World Tour last year, MacIntyre and Bjork have the golden ticket for 2024 - a PGA Tour card. And they clearly intend to try to make the most of it. They are outside the top 50 in the world rankings so will need some decent early performances if they are to secure places in the year’s four majors.

In truth, the PGA Tour should be made for MacIntyre. He is a sneaky long hitter, finds plenty of fairways and, crucially, is one of the best putters in the world. If he can get off to a decent start on his American journey he could well turn out to be a huge success.

Bjork’s only DP World Tour success came at the Volvo China Open in 2018 but he was remarkably consistent in 2023, finishing second at both the Ras Al Khaimah Championship and European Masters, fourth at the Soul Open, Italian Open and Made in Himmerland, tied sixth at the European Open, tied eighth at the British Masters and tied ninth at the Scandinavian Mixed. Whether he has the game to succeed in America is open to debate but it will be fascinating to see how he fares.

Clearly, Scheffler is the man to beat but all the extra sub-plots add an extra ingredient.

Cantlay will feel that he has a point to prove. He was subjected to a great deal of criticism at the Ryder Cup over his refusal to wear a cap, saw his caddie Joe LaCava become embroiled in an unseemly spat with McIlory and effectively went into hibernation.

He returned at The Sentry but wasn’t at his best and will be determined to let his clubs start to do the talking again this season. Cantlay is a taciturn individual whom it is easy to dislike but he possesses a golf swing that is a thing of beauty and those closest to him say that he is misunderstood. He is a member of the PGA Tour player policy board and, apparently, has been doing huge amounts of work behind the scenes on behalf of his fellow players.

He would certainly figure in any conversation about the best golfer not to have won a major. His game is made for Augusta and he will be looking to find his best form soon. 

Rickie Fowler will be looking to continue his resurgence with a renewed focus. There had been persistent rumours that Fowler would be the next player to join LIV but the American has made it clear that he is going nowhere. 

He said: "Seeing how much work the guys on the [PGA Tour] board, especially being around [Patrick] Cantlay during the off-season a little bit and leading up to [The Sentry], I’ve never seen a person be on the phone so much. These guys are pouring a lot of time and effort into it.

"I was on the PAC [Player Advisory Council] last year but have tried to stay out of the way because the guys that are in there, I trust. With Jordan [Spieth], Cantlay, Tiger and the other guys, I’ve just trusted that we’re all going to end up in a good spot and I have zero plans to go anywhere.”

Tournament Winners:

It was won in 2016 by Jason Dufner, in 2017 and 2022 by Hudson Swafford, in 2018 and 2023 by Jon Rahm, in 2019 by Adam Long, in 2020 by Andrew Landry, and in 2021 by Si-woo Kim. 

The Course:

PGA West was designed by Pete Dye. It is a par 72 measuring 7,300 yards. It’s a Pete Dye course, so you know that means there are plenty of water hazards and a great deal of sand. But the fairways are generous, so expect some spectacular scoring.

Form Guide:

Patrick Cantlay clearly feels that he has a point to prove after ‘Capgate’. He showed some decent form at The Sentry. And it would be a huge surprise if Scottie Scheffler does not add to his impressive collection of top-five finishes.

To Win:

Patrick Cantlay. Has no weaknesses

Each Way:

Scottie Scheffler. Another week, another top five finish

Each Way:

Xander Schauffele. Needs a win

Five Players to Watch:

Patrick Cantlay. Wonderful temperament

Scottie Scheffler. If he putts well he wins

Xander Schauffele. Usually there or thereabouts

Robert MacIntrye. Will be relishing the challenge

Shane Lowry. Fabulous touch around the greens

Five Outsiders to Watch:

Alexander Bjork. Looking to grab his big chance

Alejandro Tosti. Impressive Argentinian golfer

Tyson Alexander. Beautiful ball striker

Brandt Snedeker. Still looking for his best form

Kevin Kisner. Wants to prove he is still a golfer, not an analyst