There's plenty of star power near the top of the leaderboard at the American Express through 54 holes — Jason Day (19 under), Patrick Cantlay (18 under), Justin Thomas (17 under), just to name a few — but there are also nearly a dozen notable names who are packing their bags early after missing the cut on Saturday afternoon.

The pro-am begins Thursday, with 156 pros playing with 156 amateurs on three desert courses -- the Pete Dye Stadium Course and Jack Nicklaus Tournament Course at PGA West and La Quinta Country Club. Here's our look at 10 players to watch when play begins Thursday:

Justin Thomas, Patrick Cantlay and Nick Dunlap Compete at The American Express at PGA West in La Quinta, Calif., – Thursday-Sunday Coverage on GOLF Channel Begins at 4 p.m. ET

The American Express field features eight of the world’s top 25-ranked golfers but will miss out on Nos. 1 and 2 after each withdrew.

Thomas hadn't played in The American Express for years when he teed up in the 2024 event in La Quinta. The result was a tie for third in La Quinta including a tournament record-tying 61 in the ...

Justin Thomas is set to make his TGL debut next week as his Atlanta Drive Golf Club takes on the New York Golf Club.

Sepp Straka's game has been almost as clean as his head through three rounds at The American Express. Straka shot an 8-under 64 on Saturday in his third straight bogey-free round, staking the newly bald Austrian to a four-shot lead over Charley Hoffman,

Leading scores after the third round of the PGA Tour's American Express tournament in La Quinta, California, on Saturday (USA unless stated; par-72):

Straka shot 8-under-par 64 for the second day in a row to surge to the lead on Saturday at La Quinta Country Club in La Quinta, Calif. He's at 23 under and will take a four-stroke lead to Sunday's final round on Pete Day Stadium Course.

Charley Hoffman and Rico Hoey both shot a 9-under 63 on the Nicklaus Tournament Course to share the lead Friday after two rounds at The American Express.

Sepp Straka shot an 8-under 64 on while his top competitors failed to match his sizzling pace at The American Express

Los Angeles cruised to victory at the SoFi Center, with Jupiter Links’ only point of the game coming on the sixth hole.