The American Express 2026 Odds, Predictions, Best Bets, & Longshot Picks

The PGA Tour heads to the California desert this week for The American Express 2026. The second tournament of the year will see the world’s top players tee off at three different courses: PGA West’s Pete Dye Stadium Course, PGA West’s Nicklaus Tournament Course, and La Quinta Country Club. 

Two of the three courses play as some of the easiest courses on the schedule, so scoring is expected to be low once again. The American Express favors players who can separate on approach, rewarding aggressive iron play and birdie conversion.

Scottie Scheffler headlines a field that includes 28 of the top 50 players in the world and will be the overwhelming favorite, according to the oddsmakers. Scheffler comes in with +335 odds to win the tournament and no other challenger has better than 25-1 odds, which could create a ton of value for bettors this weekend.

The American Express 2026 Odds

Scottie Scheffler has separated himself from the rest of the field by a wide margin and opens as the clear betting favorite at +335. Ludvig Aberg, Russell Henley, Ben Griffin, and Robert MacIntyre are considered the next tier of contenders at +2500, followed by Si Woo Kim (+2800) and Sam Burns (+3300). 

Patrick Cantlay (+3500), Matt Fitzpatrick (+4000), reigning champion Sepp Straka (+4500) and Kurt Kitayama (+5500) highlight the next tier of golfers but there are also several live longshots heading to Southern California this weekend. Wyndham Clark (+9000), Will Zalatoris (+10000) and Max Homa (+11000) will attempt to overcome the odds in a tournament that has historically rewarded aggressive scoring and hot putting.

With three guaranteed rounds and forgiving scoring conditions, the three-course rotation continues to open the door for volatility, making The American Express one of the more bettor-friendly events on the early-season schedule.

Here are the latest odds for The American Express 2026.

The American Express 2026 Expert Picks

While Scottie Scheffler is the best player in the world, it’s worth noting that he actually doesn’t have a Top-10 finish at this event in the last five years. Instead, it might be worth taking a shot on another top-tier player, especially at these prices.

Ben Griffin has become a desert specialist, posting back-to-back top-10 finishes at this event in 2024 and 2025. He enters this week as one of the hottest players on Tour, having finished in the top 20 in seven consecutive starts dating back to last August.

Ranked No. 8 in the world, Griffin currently ranks second only to Scheffler in Strokes Gained: Total under “easy” scoring conditions. If he can maintain his recent form with his putter, he has the best chance to push Scheffler for the trophy.

Best Bet To Win: Ben Griffin (+2500)

Best Longshot Bets

It is rare to find a player of Homa’s caliber at triple-digit odds, especially in his home state of California. After a difficult 2025, Homa has reunited with coach Mark Blackburn and reeled off three top-20s in his last four starts. He has four career wins in the Golden State and, at +11000, is the ultimate “buy-low” candidate for a player who was a top-10 mainstay just a year ago.

Best Value Bet: Ben Griffin (+2500)

Top Dark Horse: Ryan Gerard (+6000)

Best Longshot Bet: Max Homa (+11000)