The American Express 2026 purse, payouts: Will anyone challenge Scottie Scheffler this week at PGA West?
The PGA Tour's 2026 season shifts to California this week for what may be its strongest edition of The American Express yet, headlined by the season debut of the sport's undisputed top player, Scottie Scheffler.
The world No. 1, coming off a historic six-win season and a fourth consecutive PGA Tour Player of the Year award, will make his first start of the new year at PGA West in La Quinta. Scheffler has dominated the sport for two years, racking up 13 victories since 2024, including three major championships.
He headlines a field featuring five of the world's top 10 and 12 of the top 25 players. Other notable contenders include Russell Henley, Rob MacIntyre, Ben Griffin, and Justin Rose. Defending champion Sepp Straka will also return to challenge for the $9.2 million purse and 500 FedExCup points.
Tournament Basics:
Dates: January 22–25, 2026
Course: PGA West, La Quinta, California
Defending Champion: Sepp Straka
TV Coverage: Golf Channel, Thursday–Sunday, 4–7 p.m. ET
With Scheffler seeking to immediately reassert his dominance and a deep field looking to make an early-season statement, The American Express sets the stage for a compelling week in the California desert.
