American Express unveils early commitments for 2026 field
LA QUINTA, Calif. (KESQ) – The American Express golf tournament is less than a month away and officials shared the latest on the 2026 edition Tuesday during Media and Sponsor Appreciation Day.
Media Day for the 2026 @theamexgolf! We are 44 days away from tournament week here in @LaQuintaCA! pic.twitter.com/JvUxWu3ylG
— Blake Arthur (@BlakeArthur24) December 9, 2025
As part of the ceremonies, Pat McCabe, Tournament Director for The American Express®, announced that the 2026 edition has received commitments from six world-class players, which include major champions Wyndham Clark and Brian Harman, as well as Ben Griffin, who is currently ranked ninth in the Official World Golf Rankings after a stellar 2025 campaign.
“The 2026 American Express® is officially on the horizon and we could not be more excited to once again host some of the best players in the world,” said McCabe.
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Joining Clark, Harman, and Griffin in this year’s tournament is Rickie Fowler, who hails from Southern California, as well as Akshay Bhatia and defending champion Sepp Straka.
Notable commits, as of now, in the 156-player field for 2026 @theamexgolf. $8.8M purse this year.
— Blake Arthur (@BlakeArthur24) December 9, 2025
- Harris English
- Ben Griffin
- Akshay Bhatia
- Wyndham Clark
- Brian Harman
- Fan favorite and So Cal native Rickie Fowler@KESQ @PGATOUR
“I could not be more excited to return to The American Express, a tournament that now means a great deal to me,” Straka said. “Everything about this event is special, from the world class hospitality to the remarkable golf courses. Winning this historic tournament was one of the highlights of my career and I am thrilled to return to the Coachella Valley to defend my title.”
Straka posted a trio of sub-65 rounds over the first three days and ultimately shot 25-under par to win the 2025 title by two over Justin Thomas. The Austrian went on to have a stellar season, which included a Signature Event victory at the Philadelphia Cricket Club in May. He then went on to help Europe win the Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black, where the European Team became the first road team to emerge victorious in the competition since 2012.
Bhatia, meanwhile, has two PGA TOUR victories to his name but has never made the 54-hole cut at The American Express®. He hopes to change that in 2026.
Fowler, who won THE PLAYERS Championship in 2015, quickly became one of the most popular players in the world after he joined the PGA TOUR in 2010. Since then, the former Oklahoma State Cowboy has amassed six TOUR victories and competed in five Ryder Cups and three Presidents Cups for Team USA.
Clark and Harman became household names in the sporting world thanks to their career-defining victories during the summer of 2023. At the Los Angeles Country Club, which hosted the U.S. Open for the first time, Clark held off numerous top players to win by a stroke. He also has two other PGA TOUR victories and hopes to regain his 2023 form at The American Express® this upcoming January. As for Harman, he hoisted the Claret Jug at Royal Liverpool a month after Clark’s victory, dominating the English links to win The Open Championship by six. Harman has won three other times on the PGA TOUR, most recently doing so in April 2025.
Last but certainly not least, Griffin will arrive in the Coachella Valley as one of the game’s brightest stars following a 2025 season that saw him win three times. He also made his first U.S. Ryder Cup team. Griffin’s T-7 finish at the 2025 The American Express® served as a harbinger of things to come for the former North Carolina Tar Heel.
More player commitments are expected to follow in the coming weeks.
The 67th edition of The American Express® will take place January 19-25, 2026, at PGA WEST’s Pete Dye Stadium Course (host course) and Nicklaus Tournament Course, as well as La Quinta Country Club.
Once again, this tournament will have 156 amateurs competing alongside 156 professionals over the first three rounds, with each player having the opportunity to play one round on each course. Then, after 54-holes, the top 65-professionals and ties make the cut as the final round will commence on PGA WEST’s Pete Dye Stadium Course.
In addition to seeing world class players compete, fans who buy tickets for Friday and Saturday’s rounds will be given the opportunity to attend the 2026 Concert Series. After the second round, country music sensation Old Dominion will take the stage on Friday, January 23rd and renowned pop rock band OneRepublic is set to perform on Saturday, January 24th following the third round.
All ticket holders – regardless of which day they attend – will have access to the Michelob Ultra Beers Fore Birdies, which is located on the famous par-3 17th on the Pete Dye Stadium Course known as ‘Alcatraz.’
Other activations include local business concessions, The Turn located between the 1st tee and 9th green of the Stadium Course, Bushmills Irish Whiskey Lounge, Corona Premier Par-Tee Lounge, and the Patriots Outpost presented by SoFi. A premier merchandise tent, which includes unique collaborations such as the one between Malbon and American Express, is also a highlight for every fan who attends.
Tickets are now on sale at the tournament’s official website, www.theamexgolf.com. American Express Card Members can get 20% off the ticket price for General Admission, Clubhouse, and Champion Club tickets when they pay with their American Express Card. Terms and exclusions apply.
