 | |
| Tournament information | |
|---|---|
| Location | La Quinta, California |
| Established | 1960 |
| Course(s) | La Quinta Country Club PGA West (Stadium Course) (Nicklaus Tournament Course) |
| Par | 72 |
| Length | 7,060 yards (6,460 m) (LQ) 7,140 yards (6,530 m) (S) 7,181 yards (6,566 m) (NT) |
| Organized by | Impact Through Golf |
| Tour(s) | PGA Tour |
| Format | Stroke play |
| Prize fund | US$8,800,000 |
| Month played | January |
| Tournament record score | |
| Aggregate | 72 holes: 259Nick Dunlap (2024) 90 holes: 324Joe Durant (2001) |
| To par | 72 holes: −29as above 90 holes: −36as above |
| Current champion | |
 Sepp Straka | |
| Location map | |
TheDesert Classic (currently known asThe American Express for sponsorship reasons; previously known as theCareerBuilder Challenge,Palm Springs Golf Classic, theBob Hope Desert Classic, theBob Hope Chrysler Classic, and theHumana Challenge) is a professionalgolf tournament insouthern California on thePGA Tour. Played in mid-winter in theCoachella Valley, it is part of the tour's early season "West Coast Swing."
It previously had five rounds of competition (90 holes) rather than the standard of four rounds, and was known for its celebritypro-am. For many years, the event was named for and hosted by entertainerBob Hope and featured a number of celebrity participants.[1]
In 2012, the Desert Classic changed to a traditional 72-hole format over three different courses with a 54-hole cut, similar to theAT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am, and ended their celebrity pro-am.[2] The tournament is organized by the nonprofit Impact Through Golf, which took over from Desert Classic Charities in 2020.[3]
Founded in 1960 as the Palm Springs Golf Classic,[4] the tournament evolved from theThunderbird Invitational that was held in Palm Springs the previous six years, from 1954 to 1959, but with a much smaller purse.[5] The event was renamed the Bob Hope Desert Classic in 1965 and the Bob Hope Chrysler Classic in 1986.[6]
Until 2012, its format remained unique among PGA Tour events, being played over five days and four different courses. In its first three years, the tournament was played atThunderbird Country Club andTamarisk Country Club, both inRancho Mirage; Bermuda Dunes Country Club inBermuda Dunes; and Indian Wells Country Club inIndian Wells. Bermuda Dunes was used through 2009 and Indian Wells through 2005. In 1963 Eldorado Country Club, also in Indian Wells, replaced Thunderbird Country Club. From 1964 until 1968 La Quinta Country Club inLa Quinta, replaced Tamarisk Country Club, but in 1969 Tamarisk Country Club rejoined the event and alternated annually with Eldorado Country Club until 1986 (Tamarisk Country Club's last turn being in 1985).
An evolution towards courses more suited to modern professionals began in1987. From 1987 until 1994, and again from 1998 to the present, a course at PGA West in La Quinta, (the TPC Stadium Golf Course in 1987 and the Arnold Palmer Private Course thereafter) became a permanent member of the roster; from 1995–97, Indian Ridge Country Club inPalm Desert replaced PGA West. To make room for a new permanent member, Eldorado Country Club and La Quinta Country Club alternated from 1987–89 (Eldorado being used in 87 and 89), after which Eldorado Country Club was dropped from the roster. From 1990–2003 Tamarisk Country Club and La Quinta Country Club followed a "1–2" alternating arrangement, where Tamarisk was played the first year and La Quinta CC the next two; this pattern was deviated from when Tamarisk was used in 2004 (a La Quinta CC year by the pattern), although the 2005, 2006 and 2007 events were then played at La Quinta CC.
In early 2005 a local charitable foundation gave its new course, The Classic Club in Palm Desert (anArnold Palmer-designed track) to the tournament, making the Bob Hope Chrysler Classic the only event on the PGA Tour that owns its own facility. The Classic Club took the place of Indian Wells in 2006, but the course was dropped from the Hope course field after the 2008 event, citing players concerns over high winds.[7]
The 2009 course rotation consisted of the Arnold Palmer Private Course and the Nicklaus Private Course (both at PGA West in La Quinta), SilverRock Resort (in La Quinta), and the Bermuda Dunes Country Club.[7] In 2010, La Quinta CC replaced Bermuda Dunes CC. In 2012, SilverRock Resort dropped from the rotation due to the tournament shortening to 72 holes. In 2016, the main course was Pete Dye'sPGA West Stadium Course, and also used PGA West’s Nicklaus Tournament course (originally designed for the1991 Ryder Cup, theEuropean Broadcasting Union objected because of the European domination of the tournament and a nine-hour time difference fromCentral European Time was inconvenient; the tournament moved east where only a six-hour time difference allowed the event to air in primetime hours), and La Quinta Country Club in the first three rounds.[8]
The tradition of choosing the tournament's "Classic Girls" from among the area's collegians began in those early years, with the earliest tournaments having a celebrity dubbed "Classic Queen." The earliest titleholders includedDebbie Reynolds,Jane Powell, andJill St. John. The queens of the 1970s includedBarbara Eden andLynda Carter.
The Classic's biggest draw, both then and now, has been the celebrityPro-am competition which has attracted some of the era's biggest celebrities. According to the official website, those celebrities have included:
The first edition in 1960 was won by Arnold Palmer at 338 (–22),[4] a record that stood for twenty years.He had won the last Thunderbird event the previous year, which had a $15,000 purse with a winner's share of $1,500.[5] The purse in 1960 was over six times larger at $100,000, and the $12,000 first prize was Palmer's biggest check to date.[4]
Hope, who was possibly Hollywood's greatest golfer, added his name to the tournament in1965,[1] and became its chairman of the board.
The 1970s saw stars likeFrank Sinatra make their debuts. Less than three weeks out of office,Gerald Ford played his first pro-am in1977,[9] making him the second former president to play in the tournament. More recently celebrities such asJimmy Fallon,Don Cheadle, andSamuel L. Jackson have competed in the Bob Hope Chrysler Classic, before its subsequent renames.
History was made at the tournament in 1995 when the pro-am team ofBill Clinton,George H. W. Bush, Gerald Ford, Bob Hope and defending championScott Hoch teed up for the tournament's opening round. The event marked the first time a sitting president – Clinton – had played during a PGA Tour event and perhaps the first time three presidents had ever played together.
Its long history has made the event synonymous with golf in the Coachella Valley. Additionally, the allure of Hope's name, even after his death, has convinced the Hope estate, tournament organizers and corporate sponsor Chrysler to include the legendary entertainer's name on the tournament for as long as a substantial portion of its proceeds are given to charities.
Before 2012, the tournament's five-round format was a "tough sell" for many players, such asTiger Woods, who has never played there. It took place over five days, four of which include celebrity players. That meant rounds take far longer and the presence of so many spectators out to catch a glimpse of their favorite TV, film or music star, can turn even an early round into a far more informal endeavor, which many golfers did not enjoy.
Starting in 2012, the tournament was narrowed to a four-round event played on three courses with a 54-hole cut. The tournament is the first continental stop of the calendar year, but is still a hard sell because network television coverage of the PGA Tour starts the ensuing week.
The tournament was called the Bob Hope Chrysler Classic until the 2009 tournament, whenGeorge Lopez was let go as host and Chrysler dropped their name from the tournament's name, but continued to sponsor the tournament. Instead, the tournament was hosted by the only 5-time winner of the event,Arnold Palmer, for the tournament's 50th anniversary. In 2010,baseballHall of FamerYogi Berra served as the first "Classic Ambassador".[10]
The professional field consists of 156 players selected using (slightly reordered) standard eligibility rankings except that the following are also eligible:[11][12]
There is no open qualifying for the tournament. The event also reserves an exemption for the winner of theSouthern California PGA Championship.
Only three amateurs have made starts in this event: Charlie Reiter (2018, 2019, 2020),Caleb Surratt (2023), andNick Dunlap (2024). Dunlap is the only amateur to have made the cut at the event; he won the tournament by one stroke after a 2-under final round.[13]
| Venue | Years | Times |
|---|---|---|
| PGA West Stadium Course | 1987, 2016–present | 10 |
| PGA West Nicklaus Tournament Course | 2016–present | 9 |
| La Quinta Country Club | 1964–1986, 1988, 1991–1992, 1994–1995, 1997–1998, 2000–2001, 2003, 2005–2008, 2010–present | 52 |
| PGA West Palmer Course | 1988–1994, 1998–2015 | 25 |
| PGA West Nicklaus Private Course | 2009–2015 | 7 |
| SilverRock Resort | 2008–2011 | 4 |
| Bermuda Dunes | 1960–2007, 2009 | 49 |
| Classic Club | 2006–2008 | 3 |
| Indian Wells Country Club Classic Course | 1960–2005 | 46 |
| Tamarisk Country Club | 1960–1963, 1969, 1971, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1979, 1981, 1983, 1985, 1990, 1993, 1996, 1999, 2002, 2004 | 19 |
| Indian Ridge Country Club Grove Course | 1995–1997 | 3 |
| Eldorado Country Club | 1963–1968, 1970, 1972, 1974, 1976, 1978, 1980, 1982, 1984, 1986, 1987, 1989 | 17 |
| Thunderbird Country Club | 1960–1962 | 3 |
| Year | Winner | Score | To par | Margin of victory | Runner(s)-up | Purse ($) | Winner's share ($) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| The American Express | ||||||||
| 2025 | Sepp Straka | 263 | −25 | 2 strokes |  Justin Thomas | 8,800,000 | 1,584,000 | |
| 2024 | Nick Dunlap (a) | 259 | −29 | 1 stroke |  Christiaan Bezuidenhout | 8,400,000 | 1,512,000[a] | |
| 2023 |  Jon Rahm (2) | 261 | −27 | 1 stroke | Davis Thompson | 8,000,000 | 1,440,000 | |
| 2022 | Hudson Swafford (2) | 265 | −23 | 2 strokes | Tom Hoge | 7,600,000 | 1,368,000 | |
| 2021 |  Kim Si-woo | 265 | −23 | 1 stroke | Patrick Cantlay | 6,700,000 | 1,206,000 | |
| 2020 | Andrew Landry | 262 | −26 | 2 strokes |  Abraham Ancer | 6,700,000 | 1,206,000 | |
| Desert Classic | ||||||||
| 2019 | Adam Long | 262 | −26 | 1 stroke |  Adam HadwinPhil Mickelson | 5,900,000 | 1,062,000 | |
| CareerBuilder Challenge | ||||||||
| 2018 | Jon Rahm | 266 | −22 | Playoff | Andrew Landry | 5,900,000 | 1,062,000 | |
| 2017 | Hudson Swafford | 268 | −20 | 1 stroke | Adam Hadwin | 5,800,000 | 1,044,000 | |
| 2016 | Jason Dufner | 263 | −25 | Playoff |  David Lingmerth | 5,800,000 | 1,044,000 | |
| Humana Challenge | ||||||||
| 2015 | Bill Haas (2) | 266 | −22 | 1 stroke | Charley HoffmanMatt KucharPark Sung-joonBrendan SteeleSteve Wheatcroft | 5,700,000 | 1,026,000 | |
| 2014 | Patrick Reed | 260 | −28 | 2 strokes | Ryan Palmer | 5,700,000 | 1,026,000 | |
| 2013 | Brian Gay | 263 | −25 | Playoff | Charles Howell IIIDavid Lingmerth | 5,600,000 | 1,008,000 | |
| 2012 | Mark Wilson | 264 | −24 | 2 strokes | Robert GarrigusJohn MallingerJohnson Wagner | 5,600,000 | 1,008,000 | |
| Bob Hope Classic | ||||||||
| 2011 |  Jhonattan Vegas | 333 | −27 | Playoff | Bill HaasGary Woodland | 5,000,000 | 900,000 | |
| 2010 | Bill Haas | 330 | −30 | 1 stroke | Tim ClarkMatt KucharBubba Watson | 5,000,000 | 900,000 | |
| 2009 | Pat Perez | 327 | −33 | 3 strokes | John Merrick | 5,100,000 | 918,000 | |
| Bob Hope Chrysler Classic | ||||||||
| 2008 | D. J. Trahan | 334 | −26 | 3 strokes | Justin Leonard | 5,100,000 | 918,000 | |
| 2007 | Charley Hoffman | 343 | −17 | Playoff | John Rollins | 5,000,000 | 900,000 | |
| 2006 | Chad Campbell | 335 | −25 | 3 strokes | Jesper ParnevikScott Verplank | 5,000,000 | 900,000 | |
| 2005 | Justin Leonard | 332 | −28 | 3 strokes | Tim ClarkJoe Ogilvie | 4,700,000 | 846,000 | |
| 2004 | Phil Mickelson (2) | 330 | −30 | Playoff | Skip Kendall | 4,500,000 | 810,000 | |
| 2003 | Mike Weir | 330 | −30 | 2 strokes | Jay Haas | 4,500,000 | 810,000 | |
| 2002 | Phil Mickelson | 330 | −30 | Playoff | David Berganio Jr. | 4,000,000 | 720,000 | |
| 2001 | Joe Durant | 324 | −36 | 4 strokes | Paul Stankowski | 3,500,000 | 630,000 | |
| 2000 | Jesper Parnevik | 331 | −27 | 1 stroke | Rory Sabbatini | 3,000,000 | 540,000 | |
| 1999 | David Duval | 334 | −26 | 1 stroke | Steve Pate | 3,000,000 | 540,000 | |
| 1998 | Fred Couples | 332 | −28 | Playoff | Bruce Lietzke | 2,300,000 | 414,000 | |
| 1997 | John Cook (2) | 327 | −33 | 1 stroke | Mark Calcavecchia | 1,500,000 | 270,000 | |
| 1996 | Mark Brooks | 337 | −23 | 1 stroke | John Huston | 1,300,000 | 234,000 | |
| 1995 | Kenny Perry | 335 | −25 | 1 stroke | David Duval | 1,200,000 | 216,000 | |
| 1994 | Scott Hoch | 334 | −26 | 3 strokes | Lennie ClementsJim Gallagher Jr.Fuzzy Zoeller | 1,100,000 | 198,000 | |
| 1993 | Tom Kite | 325 | −35 | 6 strokes | Rick Fehr | 1,100,000 | 198,000 | |
| 1992 | John Cook | 336 | −24 | Playoff | Rick FehrTom KiteMark O'MearaGene Sauers | 1,100,000 | 198,000 | |
| 1991 | Corey Pavin (2) | 331 | −29 | Playoff | Mark O'Meara | 1,100,000 | 198,000 | |
| 1990 | Peter Jacobsen | 339 | −21 | 1 stroke | Scott SimpsonBrian Tennyson | 1,000,000 | 180,000 | |
| 1989 | Steve Jones | 343 | −17 | Playoff | Paul Azinger Sandy Lyle | 1,000,000 | 180,000 | |
| 1988 | Jay Haas | 338 | −22 | 2 strokes | David Edwards | 1,000,000 | 180,000 | |
| 1987 | Corey Pavin | 341 | −19 | 1 stroke |  Bernhard Langer | 900,000 | 162,000 | |
| 1986 | Donnie Hammond | 335 | −25 | Playoff | John Cook | 650,000 | 108,000 | |
| Bob Hope Classic | ||||||||
| 1985 | Lanny Wadkins | 333 | −27 | Playoff | Craig Stadler | 555,000 | 90,000 | |
| 1984 | John Mahaffey (2) | 340 | −20 | Playoff | Jim Simons | 433,000 | 72,000 | |
| Bob Hope Desert Classic | ||||||||
| 1983 | Keith Fergus | 335 | −25 | Playoff | Rex Caldwell | 408,000 | 67,500 | |
| 1982 | Ed Fiori | 335 | −25 | Playoff | Tom Kite | 304,500 | 50,000 | |
| 1981 | Bruce Lietzke | 335 | −25 | 2 strokes | Jerry Pate | 304,500 | 50,000 | |
| 1980 | Craig Stadler | 343 | −17 | 2 strokes | Tom PurtzerMike Sullivan | 304,500 | 50,000 | |
| 1979 | John Mahaffey | 343 | −17 | 1 stroke | Lee Trevino | 300,000 | 50,000 | |
| 1978 | Bill Rogers | 339 | −21 | 2 strokes | Jerry McGee | 225,000 | 45,000 | |
| 1977 | Rik Massengale | 337 | −23 | 6 strokes | Bruce Lietzke | 200,000 | 40,000 | |
| 1976 | Johnny Miller (2) | 344 | −16 | 3 strokes | Rik Massengale | 180,000 | 36,000 | |
| 1975 | Johnny Miller | 339 | −21 | 3 strokes | Bob Murphy | 160,000 | 32,000 | |
| 1974 | Hubert Green | 341 | −19 | 2 strokes | Bert Yancey | 160,000 | 32,048 | |
| 1973 | Arnold Palmer (5) | 343 | −17 | 2 strokes | Johnny MillerJack Nicklaus | 160,000 | 32,000 | |
| 1972 | Bob Rosburg | 344 | −16 | 1 stroke | Lanny Wadkins | 145,000 | 29,000 | |
| 1971 | Arnold Palmer (4) | 342 | −18 | Playoff | Raymond Floyd | 140,000 | 28,000 | |
| 1970 |  Bruce Devlin | 339 | −21 | 4 strokes | Larry Ziegler | 125,000 | 25,000 | |
| 1969 | Billy Casper (2) | 345 | −15 | 3 strokes | Dave Hill | 100,000 | 20,000 | |
| 1968 | Arnold Palmer (3) | 348 | −12 | Playoff | Deane Beman | 100,000 | 20,000 | |
| 1967 | Tom Nieporte | 349 | −11 | 1 stroke | Doug Sanders | 88,000 | 17,600 | |
| 1966 | Doug Sanders | 349 | −11 | Playoff | Arnold Palmer | 80,000 | 15,000 | |
| 1965 | Billy Casper | 348 | −12 | 1 stroke | Tommy AaronArnold Palmer | 80,000 | 15,000 | |
| Palm Springs Golf Classic | ||||||||
| 1964 | Tommy Jacobs | 353 | −7 | Playoff | Jimmy Demaret | 50,000 | 7,500 | |
| 1963 | Jack Nicklaus | 345 | −13 | Playoff |  Gary Player | 50,000 | 9,000 | |
| 1962 | Arnold Palmer (2) | 342 | −17 | 3 strokes | Jay HebertGene Littler | 35,000 | 5,300 | |
| 1961 | Billy Maxwell | 345 | −14 | 2 strokes | Doug Sanders | 52,000 | 5,300 | |
| Palm Springs Desert Golf Classic | ||||||||
| 1960 |  Arnold Palmer | 338 | −20 | 3 strokes | Fred Hawkins | 70,000 | 12,000 | |
Note: Green highlight indicates scoring records.
Source:[15][16]
Legend:
Used in the pre-cut rota and the final round
Used only in the pre-cut rota
Used only in the final round
From the mid-1960s through 1998,NBC broadcast the fourth and fifth rounds of the tournament.ABC took over the coverage in 1999 through 2006, withCBS covering the tournament in 2003 due to ABC's involvement withSuper Bowl XXXVII.
On the cable side, the first three rounds were covered byESPN through 2002. From 2003–06,USA Network covered the early action.
Beginning in 2007, the tournament lost its network coverage and theGolf Channel showed all five rounds oncable television. Even with the move to four rounds and the reduction in celebrity involvement, the tournament is still exclusive to cable, as it is usually the last full-field stop restricted to cable-only coverage, as network television coverage of the PGA Tour currently does not begin until the week after the NFL's Conference Championship Games, which is two weeks before the Super Bowl.
Prior to 2007, USA and ESPN/ABC consistently covered all four courses used for the event, with the primary camera crew covering PGA West, but live coverage still emanating from the other courses. However, when Golf Channel took over coverage, the network only assigned live coverage to PGA West (both the Palmer and Nicklaus courses). All other courses used did not receive live coverage at all, with an hourly highlights package sent in and played, but none of it live. This has been the approach consistently taken by Golf Channel in regards to tournaments with multiple courses, including the Pebble Beach National Pro-Am and the Walt Disney World Golf Classic.
33°38′35″N116°16′05″W / 33.643°N 116.268°W /33.643; -116.268
