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This week's field is stacked—the strongest the American Express has ever seen since world rankings began in 1986. The 156-player field includes 63 golfers ranked in the top 100 and 27 in the top 50. Five of the world's top 10 are teeing it up, headlined by world #1 Scottie Scheffler. Other notable top-50 players include Russell Henley (#5), Robert MacIntyre (#6), Ben Griffin (#8), Ludvig Åberg (#18), Matt Fitzpatrick (#22), Sam Burns (#25), Patrick Cantlay (#27), and Wyndham Clark (#49).

Last year saw 19 top-50 and 52 top-100 players, so this year's field represents a significant upgrade. The tournament also features 14 players from the top 25 of last year's FedEx Cup standings, including Patrick Cantlay (#2), Russell Henley (#2), and Scottie Scheffler (#4).

Eight past champions are in the field: Sepp Straka (2025), Nick Dunlap (2024), Si Woo Kim (2021), Andrew Landry (2020), Adam Long (2019), Jason Dufner (2016), Jhonattan Vegas (2011), and Charley Hoffman (2007).

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The Pete Dye Stadium Course at PGA West has one of the most fascinating comeback stories in tournament golf. When it hosted the Desert Classic back in 1987, players absolutely despised it. In the era of persimmon drivers and balata balls, they found the course too punishing—island greens, 20-foot-deep bunkers, and a green surrounded by a nine-foot moat. The course played to a brutal 74.157 average that week, ranking as the 7th hardest course of the year. Players voiced their displeasure loudly, and the Tour dropped it from the rotation just weeks later.

Fast forward to 2016, and tournament officials made the bold decision to bring PGA West back. But time had softened the beast—bushes and trees lining the fairways had been removed, the moat bunker at 12 was gone, and modern equipment had tamed Pete Dye's creation. That first year back, the course played to a 70.818 average, ranking 41st hardest out of 50 courses. More importantly, players loved it.

The love affair continues. Last year, despite tough conditions, all 71 players who made the cut finished under par. The Stadium Course still looks spectacular on television while giving pros a fair but challenging test. This summer, all 18 greens were rebuilt and returned to their original larger size, and bunkers were restored to their opening-day specs. These changes could make the course play slightly easier this week.

This unique event uses three courses over four days, with the Pete Dye Stadium Course hosting two rounds. Here's what you need to know:

PGA West Stadium Course (7,210 yards, Par 72) — The star of the show. Pete Dye's design opened in 1986 and features nearly 100 bunkers with water on nine holes. Average green size is 6,500 square feet. Last year it played to a 71.35 average, ranking 19th hardest on Tour. Patrick Cantlay holds the course record with a 61 in the 2021 final round.

La Quinta Country Club (7,060 yards, Par 72) — A private course that's been part of the tournament since 1964. Billy Bell and Lawrence Hughes designed it in 1959, with Robert Muir Graves doing a full renovation in 1999. Last year it was the 4th easiest course on Tour with a 68.60 average.

PGA West Nicklaus Tournament Course (7,147 yards, Par 72) — The tamer sibling to the Stadium Course. Generous fairways and hittable greens make this one birdie-friendly. Last year it ranked 3rd easiest on Tour with a 68.25 average.

The weather looks picture-perfect—low 70s, sunny skies, and minimal wind. Expect low scores.

The American Express is a birdie-fest. Last year saw 771 birdies and 37 eagles at La Quinta, 848 birdies and 20 eagles on the Nicklaus course, and 860 birdies with 14 eagles on the Stadium Course. To win here, you need to make birdies on about 3 out of every 10 holes.

Par Breakers: Look for players who can pile up birdies. Top par breakers in this week's field include Davis Riley, Daniel Berger, Jacob Bridgeman, Ryan Gerard, Robert MacIntyre, Sahith Theegala, John Vanderlaan, and Sudarshan Yellamaraju.

Par 5 Domination: The last 28 winners have averaged about 14 under on par 5s alone. Pat Perez set the record at 19 under in 2009, while last year's winner Sepp Straka was relatively modest at 8 under. Nick Dunlap went 15 under on them in 2024 with three eagles.

Experience Matters: Since 1984, champions have averaged winning in their 6th start at this event. Sepp Straka won last year on his 5th trip. Players who know how to navigate three courses—and tolerate five-plus-hour rounds with amateurs—have an edge.

Coming off the Sony Open, the Scot showed flashes of brilliance with a Sunday 63 to finish T-4. After some frustration mid-tournament (including breaking his putter after a bogey on 17), MacIntyre played his final 26 holes in 11 under par. His game clearly builds momentum as the week progresses.

MacIntyre missed the cut here in 2024, but he's a different player now—one who believes he can win every time he tees it up. He thrives on challenging courses like the Pete Dye Stadium Course. With the strongest field in tournament history assembled in the California desert, expect MacIntyre to be in the mix come Sunday.