LA QUINTA (Calif.) — If you thought Jon Rahm’s comments on The American Express might deter the Spanish star from attending this year’s event, Rahm assures that it was not a concern.
Rahm stated that “It’s obviously an amazing event and it has a lot history with Arnie’s legacy here as well.” “I have loved it every time that I’ve been here, despite the things I said last year on the course. It’s just one player venting his frustration.
Rahm was seen last year walking from hole to hole, claiming that the tournament was a “putting contest”. He added a few more words to his remarks. Rahm later explained that the tournament’s pins are in positions that do not place a greater emphasis on strong iron play. This is one of Rahm’s strengths. Rahm won the 2018 tournament on the same three courses as last year and this.
Top 10 machines
In each of the past two years, three golfers ranked in the top ten of The American Express. Although you might expect Patrick Cantlay to be in this group, the other two were Brian Harman (and Francesco Molinari). Harman, a two-time winner, most recently won 2017 Wells Fargo Championship. He has 26 top-10s since the 2017-18 season began. This is the most by any player who has not won in that time span. Molinari’s tie at sixth was his only top-10 finish on the PGA Tour. Cantlay won twice last season, and had 12 top-10 finishes in 2021-22. Si Woo Kim was able to join that group by winning the 2021 event and placing 11th in 2022.
The deciding PGA Tour is important
Scottie Scheffler is on the PGA Tour’s Player Advisory Council this season. Scheffler, after a turbulent 2022, is happy to be a part of tour matters.
Scheffler stated that LIV was an obvious deal and that it required us to make some changes to improve the tour. Scheffler said, “So, for me, having the opportunity to be on PAC and chat with guys from all levels of our tour, regardless of whether it’s a man finishing 100th on money list or the first, it’s kinda nice to be there and have those conversations and figure what’s going to work for us all so that this tour is successful.”
He said, “I just want be able to help.” “So it should have been a good year on the PAC. We got a great group of guys, and hopefully we just continue to improve our tour.”
Finau Indian food
Tony Finau said that he would be a chef if he weren’t a top player on the PGA Tour. He also had some favorite dishes when he cooks.
“I love to cook curry chicken. Finau stated that she loves curry chicken and curry dishes. I love Indian food. Because I cook it often, I would say that I am pretty good at it.
“I think my children love a good steak. Grilling is something I am quite good at. I also enjoy grilling. These are my main meals. Finau laughed. “We love meat.”
Field strength
The strength of The American Express’ field this year is evident in the presence of five out of the 10 best players according to the Official World Golf Ranking. There are other ways to gauge how strong this week’s field is. Among the 156 golfers in the tournament, 79 of them have won at least one PGA Tour competition. Ten golfers have won at most one major championship. Jason Day and Zach Johnson are the two golfers with the most PGA Tour wins, each with 12.
In the field
The strength of The American Express’ field this year is due to Scottie Scheffler returning to the tournament with higher ranking players, but at least one top player in the field has been absent from La Quinta recently. Xander Schauffele is the No. 6 player, and the Olympic gold medalist in men’s golf in 2020. Schauffele, a Southern California native who played college golf for San Diego State, is now a professional golfer. He hasn’t been to The American Express since 2017 which was his rookie year. He did not make the cut this year, just as he did in 2016, when he was playing on a sponsor’s exemption.
