2021 American Express: PGA Golf Picks, Odds, Predictions 1/21/21

We head to California for The American Express in golf action during the 2020–21 PGA Tour.

Before I dive into my favorite golf bets let’s discuss the unique format of this tournament and take a look at a few key facts that I think are of significance to golf bettors this week. 

The American Express will take place in La Quinta, California. This event has traditionally been a pro-am tournament which has been contested on three different golf courses. However, this year, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, no amateur golfers will participate in the tournament.  Additionally, this year’s event will only be played on two golf courses, not three.

This tournament will have a field of 156 golfers. A cut will occur upon the completion of the second round of play on Friday afternoon. The top 65 players will move on to play the final two rounds of the event.

KEY FACTS

Ten of the last 11 winners of The American Express played in at least one of the two tournaments in Hawaii before this tournament.

A score of 20 under par or better has won the American Express every year since 2007.

Only 12 of the top 50 golfers in the OWGR (Official World Golf Rankings) are in this week’s field.

Now let’s shift our attention to what I love doing the most! Here are my favorite bets for the 2021 American Express.

Here are two golfers to consider putting on your card to finish in the top ten this week.

Scottie Scheffler +250 – The 22 year old American has played 12 tournaments on the PGA Tour since the beginning of August. In those 12 events played, Scheffler has an impressive eight top 20 finishes, including a fourth place result at the PGA Championship. Scottie has only played the American Express one time. He certainly made the most of his one appearance at this golf tournament. Scheffler finished third at the 2020 American Express. 

Sungjae Im +275 – Sungjae Im has two top five finishes in his last five events played on the PGA Tour, including a second place result at the Masters in November. In relation to this week’s current listed 2021 American Express field, in the last eight rounds played on the PGA Tour, Im ranks fifth in strokes gained tee to green, third in strokes gained off the tee, and eighth in strokes gained ball striking.

Here is a golfer to consider putting on your card to finish in the top 20 this week.

Charles Howell III +275 – The 41 year old American arrives at this week’s event on the heels of three consecutive top 30 finishes on the PGA Tour, including a 19th place result at the Sony Open last week. Howell III has played the American Express five times since 2016. In those five events played, Howell III has three top 20 finishes, including an 11th place result at the 2016 American Express.