The 2024 American Express got off to an exciting start in La Quinta, California with Zach Johnson and Alex Noren tying for the lead after the first round. Johnson, the 2023 U.S. Ryder Cup Captain and two-time major winner, shot an impressive 10-under 62 at La Quinta Country Club to secure his spot at the top. Noren also put on a stellar performance, matching Johnson’s 62 to share the lead.
Rico Hoey and Christiaan Bezuidenhout are tied for third, just one shot behind the leaders. The field is teeming with talent, as a chasing pack at 8 under includes big names like Xander Schauffele, Patrick Cantlay, and 2023 U.S. Amateur champion Nick Dunlap.
The American Express tournament in La Quinta has once again proven that a tournament doesn’t have to be a major championship to draw a strong field. Despite often being overlooked in favor of major championships and signature events, this regular PGA Tour event has consistently attracted top players. In fact, the 2023 field was verified by the PGA Tour as the strongest in La Quinta this century, and officials of the La Quinta tournament believe that the 2024 field measures up well with the previous year’s.
The PGA Tour schedule is typically seen to have two tiers. The first tier includes major championships and signature events with large purses, drawing the top 50 golfers in the world. The second tier consists of regular PGA Tour events, aiming to attract players within the top 20 or 30 in the Official World Golf Rankings and offering purses around half of what the signature events provide. Despite this distinction, the strong field at The American Express in La Quinta challenges the perception that the regular events are disregarded by top players.
While the landscape of golf tournaments may vary, The American Express in La Quinta continues to prove its stature as an event that draws top talent. As the tournament progresses, all eyes will be on the captivating performances and thrilling competition that this regular PGA Tour event has to offer.
