American Express PGA Tournament Underway In La Quinta

LA QUINTA, CA — The $7.6 million American Express PGA tournament began Thursday at three courses in La Quinta, with a field of 156 topped by Spaniard Jon Rahm, the world's top-ranked men's golfer.

This is the first time since 2019 the top player in the Official World Golf Ranking has played in the tournament. This will be Rahm's fourth appearance in the tournament and first since 2019. He won the tournament in 2018 for the second of his six PGA Tournament victories.

"It's great to be back," Rahm said. "I haven't played the last few years because it hasn't fit the schedule and I believe last year was I had to pull out because of a bit of a back injury. But I'm happy to be back. It's a place I've been coming to for a very long time, played in college, played the Nicklaus Course a couple times in college and played one of the other PGA courses as well.

"So I feel comfortable, I live in the desert, so I always look forward to coming here and hopefully having a good week," Rahm continued.

The Arizona State alumnus is coming off a second-place finish in the Sentry Tournament of Champions which concluded Jan. 9. Rahm is in his fourth stint atop the Official World Golf Ranking, reclaiming the top spot after tying for third in the British Open July 18.

The field includes 16 of the top 50 players in the Official World Golf Ranking. American Patrick Cantaly is the next highest ranked player at No. 4. Cantaly was the 2021 FedExCup champion, the PGA Tour's season-long points competition, and Player of the Year

Tournament host Phil Mickelson is among 12 winners of major championships in the field. The field also includes Murrieta native Rickie Fowler, a five-time PGA Tour winner.

Si Woo Kim of South Korea is seeking to become the first player to successfully defend his title at The American Express since Johnny Miller won back-to-back in 1975 and 1976.

The La Quinta Country Club and pro-am portion return for the 63rd annual The American Express after being eliminated in 2021 due to COVID-19 restrictions. Each professional will be grouped with amateurs for the first three rounds, which will also be played at the Stadium and Nicklaus Tournament courses at PGA West over the first three rounds.

The field will be reduced to the low 70 professionals and ties following conclusion of the third round. The final round will be played at the Stadium Course.

Since The American Express became a 72-hole event in 2012, each of the last 10 editions have been decided by no more than two strokes.

All fans must complete a health survey and provide proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test within 48 hours in order to enter. Tournament organizers are encouraging fans to download the CLEAR app at clear.app.link/AMEX_Attendee and complete their health screening 24 to 48 hours before arriving.

The Grammy-winning pop rock band Maroon 5 will perform a concert following conclusion of play Friday. Grammy-winning country singer Brad Paisley will perform a concert following conclusion of play Saturday.

All Friday and Saturday tournament tickets include admission to the concerts. There are no concert-only tickets.

The concert area on the Pete Dye Stadium Course driving range will open to spectators at 3 p.m., with the concerts expected to start at approximately 5 p.m. Chairs and blankets will only be allowed in designated areas.

The entrance of the main tournament parking lot is on the southbound side of Jefferson Street, across from The Hideaway Golf Club between Avenue 52 and Avenue 54. Daily parking is $20. Shuttle will take fans from the parking lot to the tournament entrance.

Gates open at 7:30 a.m. daily will play beginning at approximately 8:30 a.m.

Tournament organizers call sunscreen, a hat, comfortable shoes and binoculars as "must-have items."

The four-round tournament will be televised daily through Sunday from noon-4 p.m. on Golf Channel. Additional coverage will be streamed on the ESPN+ streaming service from 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m. daily through Sunday.