Take a look at the biggest bunker on the PGA Tour which could wreak havoc at the American Express tournament this week

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The American Express in La Quinta is underway, and several PGA Tour stars will be looking to take advantage of Scottie Scheffler and Xander Schauffele’s absence.

The world’s number one and two were scheduled to compete in the first PGA Tour event on the US mainland. Schauffele was a late withdrawal, and Scheffler is recovering from a hand injury that he sustained on Christmas Day.

Wyndham Clark is now the highest-ranked player in The American Express field and is joined by Justin Thomas, Patrick Cantlay and Tony Finau. The Amex will be played over three courses: Pete Dye Stadium Course, La Quinta Country Club and the Jack Nicklaus Tournament Course.

Given the slightly weakened field, Clark, Cantlay, Thomas or Finau could get their 2025 season up and running this weekend. But, to do so, avoiding the PGA Tour’s biggest bunker is a must.

The biggest bunker on the PGA Tour

At the Pete Dye Stadium Course, the par-five 16th hole has proven troublesome over the years. To the left-hand side of the green lies, quite literally, a cliff edge ready to punish any wayward shot.

The 18-foot-deep bunker, named the ‘Monster Bunker,’ can be a tournament wrecker. Given the height needed to escape the trap, several players have seen their hopes dashed on the 16th at PGA West.

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Which players have ended up in the ‘Monster Bunker’ at The Amex?

There’s a long list of golfers who have fallen foul on the 16th. Kevin Streelman was one of a number of players who couldn’t get out of the trap during the 2018 edition.

In 2020, J.T Poston discussed what shot is required to safely navigate the 18th mountain. “First instinct is to use a 60 degree to help get it up, but you have to hit it so far. I’m using a 55, and that did not get up.”

In 1995, Bob Murray lost his cool after finding the trap with his second shot; he did not get out at the first attempt.

Arguably the biggest name to face trouble in the notorious bunker is Arnold Palmer. During the 1996 edition, ‘The King’ came up short with his fourth from the trap before once again messing up with his fifth. Palmer would also fail with his sixth attempt.