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Kris Johnson is a Charlotte-based deputy editor. He joined CasinoBeats in July 2025 and oversees the daily news flow of editing and publishing. Kris also reports on all aspects of the gambling industry with a...
Read Full BioThe PGA Tour season rolls on with The American Express, which is contested on three different courses in La Quinta, California.
Rounds 1-3 will be played on the PGA West Stadium Course, Nicklaus Tournament Course at PGA West, and La Quinta Country Club, respectively, in a Pro-Am format. Sunday’s final round will be played on the Stadium Course.
In 2022, Jon Rahm infamously called the Stadium Course a “piece of **** ******* setup. Putting contest.” To be fair, another putting contest is expected this week in an event featuring world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler.
Scheffler is the betting favorite at a paltry +290, but longshots have made their presence felt here in recent years. Sepp Straka won last year at +6000 (60-1).
American Express Odds to Win at DraftKings Sportsbook
Here’s a look at American Express odds on top players to win at DraftKings as of publication.
- Scottie Scheffler +290
- Ben Griffin +2000
- Ludvig Aberg +2200
- Sam Burns +2500
- Russell Henley +2500
- Robert MacIntyre +2500
- Patrick Cantlay +3000
- Si Woo Kim +3500
- Harry Hall +4000
- Taylor Pendrith +4000
- Matt Fitzpatrick +4000
- Sepp Straka +4500
- Michael Thorbjornsen +4500
- Kurt Kitayama +4500
- Harris English +5000
- Rasmus Hojgaard +5000
- Rickie Fowler +5500
- Alex Noren +5500
- Justin Rose +6000
- Daniel Berger +6000
- Rico Hoey +6000
- Min Woo Lee +6000
- Adam Scott +6000
Best Bet on Favorite to Win American Express
Sam Burns (+2500)
Sam Burns is regarded as one of the best putters on tour. He owns a stellar SG: Putting average (1.151) over his past five tournaments. He’s also played well at PGA West with a T-6 and T-11 in four career starts.
Burns was in the mix to win on those Sundays, and given his putting prowess, nobody would be surprised if he closes the deal this time around.
Best Bet on Sleeper Pick to Win American Express
Sepp Straka (+4000)
Why not bet on the defending champion at 40-1? Straka finished the 2025 season second in SG: Approach (0.677). Only Scheffler was better last year in what amounts to another key stat at PGA West.
In this field, Straka ranks third when it comes to ball striking on shorter courses, where he typically excels in events that feature birdie barrages.
Best Bet on Underdog to Win American Express
Akshay Bhatia (+7500)
Akshay Bhatia is an elite wedge player, which will be an asset, given that most approach shots will come from 100-150 yards at PGA West.
Bhatia has recently flashed strength in his approach game, amassing a 0.376 SG: Approach average over his last five starts.
If Bhatia can get on a roll with his putter, he’s capable of securing his third PGA Tour win on Sunday.
Best Bet on Top-10 Finish at American Express
Matt Fitzpatrick (+320 at DraftKings)
Matt Fitzpatrick closed last season in strong fashion by winning the DP Tour World Championship in a playoff over Rory McIlroy.
Dating back to last season, he’s posted top-10 finishes in nine of his last 16 starts. He’s also made 19 consecutive cuts, and expect him to perform well in this season’s debut.
