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La Quinta Today
By the People, for the People
Scottie Scheffler Surges Back with Impressive 63 at The American Express 2026
World No. 1 golfer makes a birdie-filled comeback in the opening round of the PGA Tour's second event of the season.
Apr. 11, 2026 at 3:06am
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Scottie Scheffler's blistering start at The American Express 2026 tournament showcases his return to top form with a stunning opening round 63.La Quinta TodayScottie Scheffler, the top-ranked golfer, made a remarkable comeback in his first tournament appearance of the 2026 season at The American Express in La Quinta, California. Scheffler shot an impressive 63 in the opening round, including five birdies in his first six holes and a total of nine birdies on the day. He finished just one shot behind co-leaders Min Woo Lee and Pierceson Coody, who both shot 62. Other notable performances included Scotland's Robert MacIntyre and Australia's Jason Day, who also carded 63s on different courses.
Why it matters
Scheffler's strong start to the season signals a potential return to form for the world's top-ranked player, who won six times on tour in 2025, including major victories at the PGA Championship and The Open. The low-scoring conditions at The American Express have also raised questions about the true difficulty of the Pete Dye Stadium Course, which is considered the toughest of the three courses used for the tournament.
The details
Scheffler birdied five of his first six holes and added four more birdies on the back nine, including a chip-in at the 17th hole, to finish with a 63 at the La Quinta Country Club course. Min Woo Lee and Pierceson Coody both shot 62, with Coody recording an incredible streak of seven consecutive birdies on the back nine. Other standout performances came from Robert MacIntyre, who shot 63 on the Nicklaus Tournament Course, and Jason Day, who also carded a 63 on the Stadium Course, which is typically considered the most challenging of the three layouts.
- Scottie Scheffler shot a 63 in the opening round of The American Express on Thursday, April 10, 2026.
- The American Express is the PGA Tour's second tournament of the 2026 season.
The players
Scottie Scheffler
The world's top-ranked golfer, who won six times on the PGA Tour in 2025, including major victories at the PGA Championship and The Open.
Min Woo Lee
An Australian golfer who shot a 62 in the opening round to share the lead with Pierceson Coody.
Pierceson Coody
An American golfer who also shot a 62 in the opening round to share the lead with Min Woo Lee.
Robert MacIntyre
A Scottish golfer who shot a 63 in the opening round on the Nicklaus Tournament Course.
Jason Day
An Australian golfer who shot a 63 in the opening round on the Pete Dye Stadium Course, which is considered the toughest of the three courses used for the tournament.
What they’re saying
“Scottie Scheffler's opening round 63 was an impressive start to the season. He's clearly in great form and will be the player to beat this week.”
— Robert MacIntyre, Scottish Golfer
“The conditions were perfect for low scoring today. The courses are playing really well, and it's going to take some exceptional golf to win this tournament.”
— Pierceson Coody, American Golfer
What’s next
The players will continue their competition over the next three rounds, with a 54-hole cut taking place on Saturday. The final round will be played on the Pete Dye Stadium Course, which will test the players' skills and determine the winner of The American Express 2026.
The takeaway
Scottie Scheffler's impressive return to form at The American Express sets the stage for an exciting and competitive tournament, with several players demonstrating their ability to shoot low scores on the three diverse courses used for the event. The performance of the world's top-ranked player, as well as the potential challenges posed by the Stadium Course, will be key storylines to follow as the tournament progresses.
