The American Express, formerly known as the Desert Classic, is a professional men's golf tournament, part of the PGA Tour. Founded in 1960, it has always been played in Riverside County, California, and it is currently held across 3 top-class courses; the Stadium Course and Nicklaus Tournament Course of PGA West, and La Quinta Country Club.
In the past, the Desert Classic was famous for its celebrity Pro-Am round. Over the years, it featured entrants such as President Dwight Eisenhower, Frank Sinatra, Kirk Douglas, Samuel L. Jackson, and many others. Though the celebrity Pro-Ams are a thing of the past, the American Express remains an important and entertaining PGA Tour stop which invariably features some star players.
In 2024, Nick Dunlap made history by becoming the first amateur to win on the PGA Tour since Phil Mickelson in 1991 – and at age 20 the youngest amateur to win on the Tour since 1910 – with his 1-stroke victory. Having carded 29-under par, he also recorded the best score at the tournament in 14 years.