OPTUM GOLF CHANNEL GAMES
By design, the Optum Golf Channel Games never stopped moving on Wednesday night, under the lights at Trump National Jupiter, where Scottie Scheffler’s team edged Rory McIlroy’s squad by the slimmest of margins.
Follow Clanton through Tuesday of the GC Games
Follow Luke Clanton from the leadup to and through Tuesday at the Golf Channel Games, where he had his first production meeting, shared his thoughts on playing with Scottie Scheffler, tried some lefty shots and more.
Up Next
Scottie Scheffler nipped Rory McIlroy in a playoff to win the inaugural Optum Golf Channel Games. See how the event played out in Jupiter, Florida.
CHALLENGE EXPLAINERS
-
Power and precision takes center stage in the first competition of the Golf Channel Games, where each team will go head-to-head driving six balls to earn points.
-
Poise and precision take center stage in the second competition of the Golf Channel Games, where each team will go head-to-head chipping and pitching before racing to the green to show off their putting skills.
-
Teamwork and speed will be the name of the game during the third competition of the Golf Channel Games, an exciting team relay.
-
Competition 4 of the Golf Channel Games features a 14-Club Challenge, where strategy meets skill as players get one shot with one club to get as close to the pin as they can, earning points in the process.
-
The Captain’s Challenge of the Golf Channel Games features Scottie Scheffler and Rory McIlroy going head-to-head hitting 10 shots from various locations to gain the most points.
TEAM SCHEFFLER
World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler leads a team of four Americans against Rory McIlroy’s international squad.
Keegan Bradley, the U.S. Ryder Cup captain, will team with three other Americans against Rory McIlroy’s international team.
Burns, a five-time PGA Tour winner, is part of captain Scottie Scheffler’s team at the Optum Golf Channel Games.
Clanton, a former world No. 1 amateur, is part of captain Scottie Scheffler’s team at the Optum Golf Channel Games.
TEAM MCILROY
World No. 2 McIlroy leads a team of four international players against Scottie Scheffler’s American squad.
Donald, the two-time winning European Ryder Cup captain, will be part of Rory McIlroy’s international team.
Lowry, who sealed the Ryder Cup for Europe, will join good friend Rory McIlroy as part of the international team.
Li, a four-time DP World Tour winner from China, is part of Rory McIlroy’s international team.
MORE NEWS
Min Woo Lee and Pierceson Coody took advantage of the Nicklaus Tournament course at PGA West, with both players finishing at 10-under 62. Scottie Scheffler played at La Quinta, where he didn’t miss a green until the 17th hole.
Tee times, pairings and how to watch Round 2 of The American Express, across all three course in La Quinta, California.
Jason Day’s second shot on the par-4 18th at the Pete Dye Stadium Course clipped the flagstick. He made birdie on his way to an opening 9-under 63 in the 2026 American Express.
On a typical low-scoring day in Palm Springs, Scheffler scorched La Quinta Country Club to the tune of 9-under 63, good for a tie for third behind Min Woo Lee and Pierceson Coody.
This year at the pro-am-style tournament, Harman mistook an amateur’s ball for his own, according to the broadcast.
Scottie Scheffler began his PGA Tour season with a 9-under 63 at La Quinta Country Club. Watch highlights and hear from the world No. 1 Thursday at The American Express.
There have been some nightmare experiences on the par-5 16th at the Pete Dye Stadium Course. None more frightening than William Mouw’s a year ago at the American Express.
Jimmy Stanger hit three consecutive tee shots into the water on the 13th hole during his first round at the 2026 American Express.
Zalatoris fired a 7-under 65 Thursday at La Quinta Country Club, one of three venues for The American Express, Zalatoris’ first Tour start since missing the cut at the PGA Championship last May and subsequent disc replacement surgery.
Adam Scott, a 14-time PGA Tour winner, speaks about the future of golf amid new leadership and plans for competition changes.