The third event of the 2025 PGA Tour season begins on Thursday with The American Express 2025, which is the first of the year in the continental United States. Nick Dunlap is looking to defend his title after winning the event as an amateur last year,

Sam Burns, fresh off a T-8 finish at The Sentry to open the new season, is one of our picks to win this week's American Express.

Beyond Xander lies a handful of stars in the 15/1 range, notably Justin Thomas (+1400) and Patrick Cantlay (+1600). JT finished T3 here and shot a 61 on Saturday. Cantlay finished T52 last year but did finish runner-up in 2021.

The American Express field features eight of the world’s top 25-ranked golfers but will miss out on Nos. 1 and 2 after each withdrew.

The field for this week's 66th annual The American Express golf tournament in La Quinta boasts nine of the top 25 players in the world and 11 of the top 30. The pro-am begins Thursday, with 156 pros playing with 156 amateur on three desert courses -- the Pete Dye Stadium Course and Jack Nicklaus Tournament Course at PGA West and La Quinta Country Club.