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What was once the Bob Hope Classic, and has had many different names since, has recently settled itself as The American Express. As varied as the multitide of titles are the many combinations of courses used. What is the set up this week, then? There are three courses in use, one round on each of them before a 54-hole cut, and the format is pro-am so the rounds are long. The location – Palm Springs in California – tells us much about thosee tests: it’s the home of desert resort golf in the state, with the climate as conducive to low scoring as the courses (both because they are resort style and shortish with vulnerable par-5s, and also because they are set up with the amateurs in mind). Of the latter factor Patrick Reed said: “The pins are accessible. They’re not going to put pins three paces from the edge, because then you might not finish (with amateurs playing).” The Pete Dye Stadium Course hosts two rounds (the second being the decisive one) and it’s a par 72 at 7,187 yards designed. The Nicklaus Tournament Course is not too dissimilar – another par 72 at 7,147 yards. La Quinta Country Club is the shortest of the trio (7,060 yards) but also a par 72, designed by Frank and Lawrence Hughes. All three courses feature Poa Trivialis (overseeded) on the greens. Two-timer winner Hudson Swafford said of those puttings surfaces: “The Bermuda grass is dormant at this time of year and overseeded with Poa. It can be tricky to read.” Phil Mickelson enjoyed the event and said: “My game plan is bomb it down there as close to the greens as you can. The fairways are tight in a lot of areas (but) if I miss fairways, I have wedges or short irons in.”
Angles to consider 1/ Form A funny one. 13 of the last 17 winners, including 2023 champion Jon Rahm, had a top 25 for the year. But Adam Long won off eight failures to make the top 60 and Andrew Landry had only seven missed cuts and a T23rd. 2/ Played in Hawaii The last seven winners had teed it up at either Plantation or Waialae. 3/ Strokes Gained Approach The last four winners ranked top eight in the category.
Selections The above angles have been used to create a shortlist from which the following players are selected. JT Poston Poston finished fifth and sixth in Hawaii and said at the end of his round on Sunday that, “I felt great. All week I felt like I’ve played okay, just the scores hadn’t quite shown it.” He added that he was excited to take momentum into this week because he likes the event. He finished seventh in 2019 and sixth last year so that makes sense. And his two top sixes to start the year made it six top 25s in his last eight starts (and five of them top seven). His SG Approach stats have been good in that run. He also has seven top 10s on Pete Dye designs. Adam Hadwin The Canadian missed the cut last week but was T14th at The Sentry and before that closed 2023 with 16th in the St Jude and second at the Shriners Children’s Open. That’s fine form and his tournament record is superb taking in seven starts, all of them 32nd or better, four of them top six including a third and two seconds. With a strong top of the market his price has been pushed out bigger than it might have been in other years. Taylor Montgomery Montgomery was 13th in the Sony Open and before that ended 2023 with eighth in the RSM Classic. He also finished fifth on tournament debut last year. And he ranked second for SG Approach last week in Hawaii.
Tips: 1-2; +5.00pts 1pt e.w. JT Poston at 30/1 (SkyBet, 888Sport 1/5 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8) 11th 1pt e.w. Adam Hadwin at 50/1 (SkyBet, Paddy Power, BF Sportsbook, William Hill, 888Sport 1/5 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8) 6th 1pt e.w. Taylor Montgomery at 50/1 (SkyBet, Paddy Power, BF Sportsbook, William Hill, 888Sport 1/5 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8) mc
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