Desert Classic
The Desert Classic (currently known as The American Express for sponsorship reasons; previously known as the CareerBuilder Challenge, Palm Springs Golf Classic, the Bob Hope Desert Classic, the Bob Hope Chrysler Classic, and the Humana Challenge) is a professional golf tournament in southern California on the PGA Tour. Played in mid-winter in the Coachella Valley (greater Palm Springs), it is part of the tour's early season "West Coast Swing."
| 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$8,400,000 |
| Month played | January |
| Tournament record score | |
| Aggregate | 72 holes: 259 Nick Dunlap (2024) 90 holes: 324 Joe Durant (2001) |
| To par | 72 holes: −29 as above 90 holes: −36 as above |
| Current champion | |
| Nick Dunlap (a) | |
| Location map | |
PGA West Location in the United States PGA West Location in California | |
It previously had five rounds of competition (90 holes) rather than the standard of four rounds, and was known for its celebrity pro-am. For many years, the event was named for and hosted by entertainer Bob Hope and featured a number of celebrity participants.
In 2012, the Desert Classic changed to a traditional 72-hole format over three different courses with a 54-hole cut, similar to the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am, and ended their celebrity pro-am. The tournament is organized by the nonprofit Impact Through Golf, which took over from Desert Classic Charities in 2020.