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LA QUINTA, Calif. – Defending champion Jon Rahm just isn’t within the area this week on the 2024 American Specific, and some different acquainted names from the event’s previous won’t be taking part in PGA West both.
However the area of 156 – the most important up to now on the PGA Tour in 2024 – for the sixty fifth annual PGA Tour occasion within the Coachella Valley continues to be filled with among the finest golfers on this planet. They’re joined by golfers with sturdy resumes who won’t be top-10 gamers in the intervening time, however definitely have the pedigree to win within the desert or wherever else.
The event is contested on three programs: Pete Dye Stadium Course, Nicklaus Event Course and La Quinta Nation Membership.
The overall purse is up from $8 million to $8.4 million with first-place bumping from $1.444 million to $1.512 million.
Right here’s a have a look at among the prime gamers to look at when play begins Thursday:
Official World Golf Rating: 1 | Golfweek/Sagarin rating: 1
Scheffler involves the desert because the No. 1 participant on this planet and off a two-win season that noticed him problem in lots of extra occasions. He was final season’s PGA Tour Participant of the 12 months. Scheffler was third within the American Specific in 2020 and eleventh in 2023. His sturdy iron play makes him a menace wherever.
OWGR: 5 | Golfweek/Sagarin: 6
One of many prime gamers within the sport the previous couple of years, Cantlay will likely be hungry for a win after a winless 2022-23 season. The American Specific is likely to be an ideal place for that win, since Cantlay completed second within the occasion in 2021 behind winner Si Woo Kim, an effort that included a course-record 61 on the ultimate day on the Stadium Course at PGA West. Cantlay was additionally ninth within the occasion in 2022.
OWGR: 6 | Golfweek/Sagarin: 2
Schauffele, a San Diego junior golfer and collegiate participant, returned to the American Specific final 12 months after lacking a handful of years in a row. Not solely did he reward American Specific and the event, he performed brilliantly, tying for third at 25-under, two again of winner Jon Rahm. He’s a menace each week, and one other top-five appears logical.
OWGR: 25 | Golfweek/Sagarin: 10
One other Southern California product, Fowler is taking part in in The American Specific for the fifth consecutive 12 months. He’s had combined outcomes, almost profitable in 2020 however lacking the lower in 2022. His struggles for just a few years appear behind him with a victory final 12 months, and he’ll search for an early win in 2024.
OWGR: 18 | Golfweek/Sagarin: 25
Day is one other participant who has come to the American Specific area solely not too long ago, taking part in the final two years and ending as excessive as 18th in 2023. Final season noticed loads of golfers break lengthy winless streaks, and that was true of Day, who had been winless for 5 years earlier than taking the AT&T Byron Nelson in Could 2023. He likes the desert and will play properly right here.
OWGR: 22 | Golfweek/Sagarin: 16
When the sector of the American Specific began turning round underneath the brand new title sponsor, Finau, an American Specific Ambassador, was one of many large names that turned the tide. A two-time winner in 2022-23, Finau has performed the final 4 American Specific occasions, ending as excessive as fourth in 2021. His sport appears properly suited to desert programs that require loads of birdies.
OWGR: 42 | Golfweek/Sagarin: 37
A prime participant making his debut within the American Specific, Lowry has each a serious championship and Ryder Cup expertise. He received the raucous 2019 British Open championship, an Irishman profitable the title in Northern Eire. He has additionally been a member of the European Ryder Cup in 2021 and 2023. He’s a reputation to look at in his first desert occasion.
OWGR: 29 | Golfweek/Sagarin: 39
One other prime participant making his return to the desert is Thomas, a two-time PGA Championship winner and fixture on U.S. Ryder Cup and Presidents Cup groups. Definitely, Thomas has came upon the course in the previous couple of years, however confirmed indicators of turning his sport round late within the 2022-23 season. With no spot for him in The Sentry and with him not taking part in within the Sony Open in Hawaii, this can be a good place for Thomas to begin his 12 months.
JT final performed within the desert in 2015 when he tied for seventh when the event was known as the Humana Problem in partnership with the Clinton Basis. He additionally performed it in 2014 however missed the lower.
OWGR: 12 | Golfweek/Sagarin: 21
Kim has proven a passion for the desert, profitable the Shriners Kids’s Open in Las Vegas every of the final two years. A rising star on the PGA Tour, the Korean additionally has worldwide expertise within the President Cup. A tie for sixth in La Quinta final 12 months exhibits he’s a menace this week.
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