The pro-am begins Thursday, with 156 pros playing with 156 amateurs on three desert courses -- the Pete Dye Stadium Course and Jack Nicklaus Tournament Course at PGA West and La Quinta Country Club. Here's our look at 10 players to watch when play begins Thursday:

For the third time in his PGA Tour career, Sepp Straka hoisted a trophy at tournament's end. Converting a four-stroke lead at the 54-hole mark into a victory at the 2025 American Express, Straka fended off a crowded chasing pack headlined by Justin Thomas.

There's plenty of star power near the top of the leaderboard at the American Express through 54 holes — Jason Day (19 under), Patrick Cantlay (18 under), Justin Thomas (17 under), just to name a few — but there are also nearly a dozen notable names who are packing their bags early after missing the cut on Saturday afternoon.