No Pro-Am, Down To Two Courses For The American Express (AKA The Hope)

Due to the ongoing pandemic, this year’s American Express moves to two courses and no pro-am format with a $6.7 million purse, reports the Desert Sun’s Larry Bohannan.

Sponsor AmEx will match last year’s charitable donation of $1 million despite the loss of pro-am revenue, though the number is a far cry from the amounts generated during the Hope years.

“Due to the current local climate in Riverside County caused by COVID-19, and considering national travel associated with the event, the tournament will be played without the traditional multi-day pro-am format and ticketed spectators, and will be held on only two courses: PGA West’s Stadium Course (host) and Nicklaus Tournament Course,” the PGA Tour said in a release Thursday. “The three-day pro-am format, which has been a part of the tournament since its debut in 1960, will return in 2022.”

The pro-am has evolved in recent years from the original concept of golfers from desert clubs playing in the event to one in which more pro-am participants fly from across the country to the desert for the tournament.

One positive of no pro-am? There will be no appearances from genocidal sleezebags this year.