Get ready for a thrilling start to the 2026 golf season! World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler is set to kick things off at The American Express, marking his highly anticipated return to the PGA TOUR. But here's where it gets exciting: after a remarkable 2025 season, all eyes are on Scheffler to see if he can maintain his dominance—or if a new challenger will rise to the occasion.
Written by Paul Hodowanic, this announcement comes just two hours after the tournament confirmed Scheffler’s participation via social media. It’s no shocker that Scheffler is teeing it up at The American Express—this event has been a staple in his schedule for years. In fact, he’s played it five consecutive seasons, only missing last year due to a hand injury sustained during the offseason. But here’s the part most people miss: despite his consistent presence, Scheffler has yet to secure a win at this tournament, with just one top-10 finish (a solo third in 2020) in five starts. Could 2026 be his year to break through in La Quinta?
Scheffler enters the season as the undisputed king of golf, fresh off his fourth consecutive PGA TOUR Player of the Year title. His offseason was relatively low-key, with only three appearances since the TOUR Championship. He claimed victory at the Procore Championship, represented Team USA in the Ryder Cup in September, and added a T4 finish at the Hero World Challenge in December. Here’s the controversial take: while Scheffler’s consistency is unmatched, his quiet offseason might leave room for competitors like Justin Rose, Sam Burns, or Patrick Cantlay to gain early momentum. What do you think—is Scheffler’s dominance here to stay, or is the field closing the gap?
The American Express, scheduled for January 22-25, will take place across three iconic Palm Springs courses: PGA West’s Pete Dye Stadium Course, the Nicklaus Tournament Course, and La Quinta Country Club. Players will rotate through these courses for the first three rounds before the final showdown. Joining Scheffler are notable names like Justin Rose, Sam Burns, Patrick Cantlay, Ben Griffin, Robert MacIntyre, and Max Homa. The full field will be finalized on Friday, January 16. And this is the part that sparks debate: with such a stacked field, is Scheffler’s path to victory as clear as it seems, or will this tournament be a turning point for one of his rivals?
Let’s hear your thoughts—is Scottie Scheffler unstoppable, or is 2026 the year someone dethrones the champ? Drop your predictions in the comments below!
