Desert Classic

The American Express
Tournament information
LocationLa Quinta, California
Established1960
Course(s)La Quinta Country Club
PGA West
(Stadium Course)
(Nicklaus Tournament Course)
Par72
Length7,060 yards (6,460 m) (LQ)
7,140 yards (6,530 m) (S)
7,181 yards (6,566 m) (NT)
Organized byImpact Through Golf
Tour(s)PGA Tour
FormatStroke play
Prize fundUS$8,400,000
Month playedJanuary
Tournament record score
Aggregate72 holes:
259 Nick Dunlap (2024)
90 holes:
324 Joe Durant (2001)
To par72 holes:
−29 as above
90 holes:
−36 as above
Current champion
United States Nick Dunlap (a)
Location map
PGA West is located in the United States
PGA West
PGA West
Location in the United States
PGA West is located in California
PGA West
PGA West
Location in California

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, 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 celebrity pro-am. For many years, the event was named for and hosted by entertainer Bob 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 the AT&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]

  1. ^ "Casper wins by stroke". Eugene Register-Guard. (Oregon). Associated Press. February 8, 1965. p. 3B – via Google News Archive.
  2. ^ "George Lopez' comments show his days as Desert Classic host still stir emotions".
  3. ^ Bohannan, Larry (January 11, 2020). "Desert Classic Charities' exit clears way for new American Express charity model". Desert Sun. Retrieved March 4, 2021.