The Road To Glory: Scottie Scheffler Writes History At The American Express
- Details
- Category: Inside Golf
- Published: 2026-02-04
By Barry Lotz, J.D., Ph.D., Inside Golf
Blades Brown was the star of the show for much of the week, delivering memorable moments both on and off the course. When it came time to write the ending, another pro made sure his name was on the final page.
That man was Scottie Scheffler.
In La Quinta, the World No. 1 sealed the event with yet another record-breaking effort—one that didn’t just win a tournament, but added a historic milestone to his rapidly growing legacy.
The American Express remains one of the most distinctive stops on the PGA TOUR calendar because it is not contested on a single venue, but across three world-class courses in the Coachella Valley.
Before Sunday’s finish, every player in the field had completed the full rotation, playing each course once: the Pete Dye Stadium Course at PGA West, the Jack Nicklaus Tournament Course at PGA West, and La Quinta Country Club.
For much of the week, the storyline belonged to Blades Brown, the 18-year-old phenom competing on a sponsor exemption who played with fearless freedom. Brown delivered one of the tournament’s defining moments with a stunning course-record 60 on the Nicklaus Tournament Course, igniting the galleries and reminding everyone that golf’s future is never far away.
When the tournament reached its final stretch, Scheffler did what champions do: he took control.
Scheffler captured the title at -27, with Jason Day finishing second, and in doing so delivered his 20th PGA TOUR victory.
With this win, Scheffler reached 20 PGA TOUR victories in only his 151st career start, at the age of 29 years, 7 months, 4 days. He becomes just the 40th player in TOUR history to reach 20 wins, the first since Rory McIlroy in 2021, and the first player since Tiger Woods to reach 20 wins before the age of 30. Remarkably, Scheffler reached the milestone in the second-fewest starts ever, behind only Woods himself.
Beyond the ropes, The American Express has become one of the TOUR’s premier sport-and-entertainment events. This year’s concert series drew 18,000+ fans per concert night, with headline performances by Old Dominion and OneRepublic, reinforcing the tournament’s unique festival atmosphere.
In the end, this event’s continued growth and national relevance are a credit not only to the players but also to the vision behind the tournament. Under the leadership of SportsFive and longtime tournament executive Pat MacCabe, The American Express has become a model PGA TOUR stop—blending elite competition, entertainment, and an unmatched desert setting into one of the most compelling weeks of the season.
Blades Brown gave the week its spark. Jason Day gave it depth. But Scottie Scheffler gave it the ending.
Ratings Snapshot: The AmEx Draws Big TV Audience
Golf Channel viewership surged at The AmEx, led by Scottie Scheffler’s four-shot win.
Sunday final round: 617,000 viewers (highest since 2015)
Saturday coverage: 883,000 viewers (best since 2006), peaking at 1.03 million
Four-day tournament average: 515,000 viewers — up 125% from last year
Scheffler’s star power, Blades Brown’s breakout week, and lighter NFL competition helped drive the jump.
In La Quinta, the World No. 1 reminded everyone: when the story matters most, champions hold the pen.
Barry Lotz, J.D., Ph.D.
ConnoissuerGolfandTravelReport.com
InsideGolf.ca
www.PGTAA.com
About the Writer
Barry Lotz, J.D., Ph.D., is the director of the Professional Golf Teachers Association of America. Visit www.facebook.com/PGTAA to see all the latest mental strategies, travel, and equipment reviews. Currently, he also works with between 10 and 12 PGA TOUR players on the mental side of golf.
He is a member of the Golf Writers Association of America and serves both as a consultant and mediator to the golf industry. He is also the author of numerous books, including “333 Best Web Sites for Golfers” and his previous book, “How to Build Business Relationships through Golf,” which is still on the Top Ten Golf Business Books bestseller list. His current book, “The Right Mind for Golf,” is now in its 13th reprint and is available on Amazon and at the Torrey Pines Golf Course. In 2024, he released “The Right Mind for Putting” and “The Right Approach to Golf.” His new book, “The Back Nine: Embracing Golf and Life as a Senior,” is available at www.pgtaa.com.