Golf: PGA Tour – The American Express (Desert Classic)
Venue: PGA West Course, La Quinta, California
Dates: Thursday 19th – Sunday 22nd January 2023
Tournament Preview
The PGA Tour continues to get up to speed in 2023 with the American Express Desert Classic in California. Having first been competed in 1960, the event has become a staple on the tour and its status as a star-studded Pro-Am has grown over the past 60 odd years. The 2023 edition of the event takes place in the midst of the controversial LIV Golf Series and with golf as a sport seemingly in flux, it is events such as these that the PGA Tour need to capture the hearts and minds of the golfing fraternity. With a winner’s purse of $8 million to play for too, it promises to be a hotly contested weekend of golf in the Californian sunshine.
Betting Preview
Outright Winner
The American Express has attracted a very strong field to La Quinta and there will be plenty of household names wanting to take home the spoils:-
Jon Rahm remains one of the premiere players on the PGA Tour and he goes in as favourite to almost any event that he plays in.
Masters champion Scottie Scheffler enjoyed one of the most incredible golfing years in recent times in 2022 and he will be desperate to keep that going in 2023.
World number 5 Patrick Cantlay finished strongly in Hawaii last time out and he will be looking to get into the winner’s circle as quickly as possible in 2023.
Big hitting American Tony Finau strung together plenty of wins in 2022 and he is another one that could kick on and do something extraordinary in 2023.
South Korean Sungjae Im has been in superb form globally for over 12 months and his form on the PGA Tour in recent months has been sublime.
1st Round Leader
Getting off to a flyer in the Californian sun could be essential this week and there are plenty of big names that will be hoping to do just that:-
Another South Korean in fine fettle is Tom Kim, who too has been tearing up the PGA Tour in recent times, making him a candidate from the off here in California.
Seasoned campaigner Chris Kirk has had a quiet few months on the PGA Tour but should be in a good place with his game here in California, especially after showing signs of form in Hawaii last week.
Top 10 Finish
With so many quality players assembled here in La Quinta, getting into the winning enclosure could be tough but there are plenty of candidates to finish in the top ten come Sunday:-
Consistency will be the order of the day this season and few players on the PGA circuit are as solid as Brian Harman and he is a good shout for a solid week in California.
Two-time American Express runner up Adam Hadwin tends to play his very best golf at this event and he could be a value to finish in the top 10 come Sunday afternoon.
The American Express 2023 betxchange.com Best Bets:
Outright Winner: Jon Rahm – 6/1
1st Round Leader: Tom Kim – 20/1
Top Ten Finish: Brian Harman – 10/3
