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La Quinta Today
By the People, for the People
Scottie Scheffler's La Quinta Win Boosts Masters Spotlight
Scheffler's January victory at The American Express in La Quinta continues to resonate at the Masters, raising visibility for the desert PGA Tour event.
Apr. 9, 2026 at 9:54pm
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Scheffler's La Quinta win echoes at the Masters, boosting visibility for the desert PGA Tour event.La Quinta TodayScottie Scheffler's win at The American Express in La Quinta in January has added an extra layer of significance to his return to the Masters as the defending champion. The desert tournament's national exposure and the direct pipeline to the Masters field make Scheffler's victory an important boost for the event, with his name and the mention of La Quinta likely to be repeated during the Masters broadcast.
Why it matters
The American Express has always been more than just another January stop on the PGA Tour calendar. It's a chance for the Coachella Valley to get national attention, and Scheffler's win has helped reinforce the tournament's importance by driving major TV ratings and potentially strengthening its position in future PGA Tour scheduling discussions.
The details
Scheffler's victory at The American Express in La Quinta in January was his first win of the 2026 season and came three months before his defense of the Masters title. The tournament's direct pipeline to the Masters field means that even players like amateur Nick Dunlap, who won in 2024, earn a spot at Augusta National. While Scheffler didn't need the La Quinta win to qualify, his success there has helped raise the profile of the desert event, with TV ratings surging compared to the previous year.
- Scottie Scheffler won The American Express in La Quinta in January 2026.
- Scheffler is the defending champion at the 2026 Masters, which takes place in April.
The players
Scottie Scheffler
The world's top-ranked golfer and two-time Masters champion, who won The American Express in La Quinta in January 2026.
Nick Dunlap
An amateur who won The American Express in La Quinta in 2024, earning a spot in the Masters field.
What they’re saying
“Scottie Scheffler will get plenty of attention at the Masters this week as the defending champion. But for California golf fans, there's an extra layer to his return to Augusta National: Scheffler arrives not only as the sport's top name, but as the most recent winner of The American Express in La Quinta.”
— Larry Bohannan, Golf writer, The Desert Sun
The takeaway
Scottie Scheffler's win at The American Express in La Quinta has provided a significant boost to the desert tournament, raising its national profile and reinforcing its importance as a key stop on the PGA Tour calendar. The direct pipeline to the Masters field and Scheffler's success at both events have made the La Quinta tournament an integral part of the Masters story.
