PGA Tour Begins 2026 Season at The American Express
News Summary
The 2026 PGA Tour season has commenced with The American Express tournament in California. World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler is the favorite, looking to overcome past struggles. This year’s field includes strong challengers like Ben Griffin and defending champion Sepp Straka, who is a longshot. Fantasy golf has new features for active participation, and the event will be broadcasted live on the Golf Channel with dynamic gameplay and betting insights available for fans.
PGA Tour Kicks Off 2026 Season with Exciting Showdown at The American Express
The 2026 PGA Tour season is officially here, and it all kicks off with the highly anticipated The American Express tournament in California, starting this Thursday. Golf fans are in for a treat as World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler makes his much-anticipated season debut after an exhilarating year in 2025, where he claimed two major titles. You can feel the buzz as he looks to turn around his luck at this event, where he has previously struggled, finishing outside the top 10 in his last four appearances.
Scottie Scheffler: The Expected Favorite
With a +300 betting line from FanDuel Sportsbook, Scheffler is the clear favorite heading into the tournament. Fans will be eager to see if he can shake off his recent performance woes at The American Express and find his stride early in the season. Will he rise to the challenge, or will the pressure of being the favorite weigh him down?
Challengers in the Field
Of course, Scheffler isn’t the only talent in this stacked field. The competition is fierce this year, with notable players like World No. 8 Ben Griffin offering odds of +2000. And let’s not forget rising stars like Ludvig Åberg at +2200 and Russell Henley with odds at +2500. Each contender has something to prove and will be aiming to take home the trophy, adding layers of excitement to the tournament.
Interestingly, the defending champion, Sepp Straka, is considered a longshot this year, with his odds set at +4500. Given the unpredictable nature of golf, fans might want to keep an eye on him—upsets often make for the best stories in the sport!
A New Era for Fantasy Golf Fans
The PGA TOUR Fantasy Game is rolling out some excellent updates for the 2026 season, making it easier for avid fans to get involved. An exciting new feature this year is the in-tournament rostering, which allows players to adjust their rosters dynamically throughout the event. This engages golfers not just as spectators, but as active participants!
Fantasy enthusiasts can submit their rosters via the PGA TOUR Fantasy Golf platform and can change bench players after each round, allowing for strategic gameplay that adapts to the unfolding tournament. Also, fans can now rigorously compete against experts in a free fantasy game, taking their chances in the public league for PGA TOUR Experts. It’s time to put those golf stats to the test!
Broadcast Inclusions for Viewers
If you’re looking to catch the action, it will be available live on the Golf Channel, with streaming options on the NBC Sports App. The event will feature some amazing courses: Pete Dye’s PGA West Stadium Course, La Quinta Country Club, and the Jack Nicklaus Tournament Course, offering a range of challenges to the players throughout the tournament.
The Format of Competition
The players will compete in pairs, leading to a thrilling showdown. After the first three rounds, there will be a 54-hole cut, narrowing down the field for Sunday’s final round at the iconic Stadium Course. With a start time of 11:30 a.m. on Round 1, the excitement will build throughout the day, with coverage running until 7 p.m. on PGA Tour Live. Expect a quick pace early in the week thanks to this pairing format.
Betting and Predictions
Alongside all this action, fans can turn to Golfbet experts for weekly betting picks and fantasy advice, ensuring that no one misses a chance to make some thoughtful choices. Plus, for those interested in future betting, the SportsLine proprietary model has proven reliable, having accurately predicted the outcomes of 16 major tournaments since June 2020. Now that’s a model worth paying attention to!
As the first event of the season, The American Express promises to set the tone for an exhilarating year of golf ahead. With big names on display and exciting new features for fans, the season opener is sure to be a memorable one. Grab your clubs, set your fantasy rosters, and prepare for a fantastic weekend of golf!
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