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2021 The American Express: Top 10 power rankings

By Mike Randleman

Adam Hadwin hits out of the bunker on the 18th hole of the Stadium Course at PGA West during the Desert Classic, January 20, 2019.Desert Classic Sunday 14
Adam Hadwin hits out of the bunker on the 18th hole of the Stadium Course at PGA West during the Desert Classic, January 20, 2019.Desert Classic Sunday 14 /
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January 7, 2021; Maui, Hawaii, USA; Patrick Reed hits a tee shot on the second hole during the first round of the Sentry Tournament of Champions golf tournament at Kapalua Resort – The Plantation Course. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
January 7, 2021; Maui, Hawaii, USA; Patrick Reed hits a tee shot on the second hole during the first round of the Sentry Tournament of Champions golf tournament at Kapalua Resort – The Plantation Course. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /

Patrick Reed was a champion at The American Express in 2014. Can he recapture the magic in Palm Springs?

Reed has made the cut three of the next four times at this event, but has failed to crack the top 10. I envision him finding more success in his return to the desert after two years away.

Since last teeing it up at PGA West, Reed’s won a WGC, a FedEx Cup Playoff event and a major among other events.

His triumph in 2014 was the second of now eight PGA Tour wins. He blazed out to seven-shot lead through 54 holes with scores of 63-63-63. Reed closed in 70 to hold off Ryan Palmer, who shot a Sunday 63, by two.

The 30-year-old Texan comes in off of a week of rest after finishing T-21st at the Tournament of Champions. It was his worst result since August. Reed closed 2020 with six straight top-14s between the PGA Tour and European Tour. He nearly won in both Euro Tour starts in the Middle East, finishing T-3rd in both.

Reed hasn’t won worldwide since February at the WGC-Mexico Championship. I think he’ll be among the hungriest guys at a field.

If the course plays tougher due to the lack of amateurs, that would seem to benefit more of the grinding types like Reed. He ranked 12th last season in strokes gained putting (.599) and 21st in SG around the green.

Reed was 11th in birdie average (4.23) as well as sand saves (60.61%).

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