A quick check of last week’s Sony Open. Last year’s glowup Chris Gotterup got off to a hot start then lapped the field in the final round to take the title. Our beloved boys had meh results: Russell Henley finished T19, Brian Harman was T61, and Keith Mitchell was T66. Chris Kirk missed the cut.
Now we’re back on the mainland, and starting the tour of California with the first stop in the Coachella Valley. Some of the big dogs (and ‘Dawgs) skipped the long flight to Hawaii and are going to start their
season this week. That includes world #1 Scottie Scheffler. Even more will appear next week in San Diego along with brooding prodigal son Brooks Koepka, and then even more in the desert at the WM Open the following week. Now onto this week’s Tour stop:
Tournament: The American Express, January 22-25, 2026
Course(s): Nicklaus Tournament Course: 7,147 yards; La Quinta Country Club: 7,060 yards; Pete Dye Stadium Course: 7,210 yards. All are pay 72. Players rotate courses Thursday through Saturday, the field is cut to top 65 after 54 holes, and Sunday’s final round is competed on the Stadium Course.
Purse: $9.6 million total, $1,656,000 to the winner.
Defending Champ. UGA’s own Sepp Straka. You have to go low at this birdie-fest, and Straka did that out of the gate, shooting rounds of -7, -8, and -8 to establish a bit of a Sunday lead. He was -3 through 15 holes in the final round, made his only bogey of the week on the 16th, and was able to play safe the final 2 holes to secure his victory over Justin Thomas.
Fun Fact: After play concludes Friday, a band called “Old Dominion” is slated to perform at the course. And Saturday, “One Republic” will crank it up. I feel I should know who these acts are, yet I do not.
TV Times: 4-6 pm ET, Thursday-Sunday on Golf Channel. And plenty of streaming on ESPN+ and the PGA Tour app.
‘Dawgs in the Field: 6. Sepp Straka, Brian Harman, Harris English, Russell Henley, Chris Kirk, Keith Mitchell.
The golf is going to ramp up quickly, with last week serving as an amuse-bouche and this week more of an appetizer or soup (try the bisque!). There are two signature events (read: elite limited field, elevated purses) coming in just 3 weeks so the Tour pros are dusting off the shoes and trying to dial in their new equipment before the cash grab. Plus it’s a good way to check out southern California desert resort golf while you’re stuck in the deep freeze. Enjoy, and as always…
GO ‘DAWGS!!!
