Grant Horvat’s PGA Tour Pro-Am Appearance Clarified
LA QUINTA, January 23, 2026 – YouTube golf star Grant Horvat generated significant buzz and some confusion among his fanbase this week after announcing his participation in The American Express tournament in California. However, the popular content creator did not compete in the official PGA Tour event, but rather in the tournament’s Pro-Am segment.
Pro-Am vs. Official Tournament
Horvat, a former Division II college golfer at Palm Beach Atlantic University, was a recipient of a sponsor exemption to play in the professional Pro-Am segment of The American Express, a PGA Tour event held at PGA West in La Quinta. His participation was not part of the 156-player main field competing for the $9.2 million purse.
The clarification came after initial excitement led many fans to believe Horvat would be competing on the official leaderboards. The 30-year-old influencer, who commands nearly 1.4 million YouTube subscribers, was instead invited to play alongside a professional partner in the Pro-Am, a separate competition that runs concurrently with the main event.
Key Facts & Timeline
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Announcement Date | January 16, 2026 |
| Event | The American Express (PGA Tour) |
| Horvat’s Role | Pro-Am Participant (with a professional partner) |
| Official Result | Not on Official Leaderboard (Pro-Am scores separate) |
| Past PGA Tour Experience | Korn Ferry Tour Event (BMW Charity Pro-Am, June 2025) |
| YouTube Channel | Grant Horvat Golf |
| Subscribers (as of Jan. 2026) | ~1.4 million |
| Total Video Views | Over 264 million |
Background of the Confusion
The confusion stemmed from Horvat’s social media post on January 16, which stated, “Excited to be playing in my first PGA Tour event next week.” The post did not specify that his appearance was in the Pro-Am, leading many of his followers to believe he had received a sponsor exemption to compete in the main tournament.
Horvat had previously turned down a sponsor exemption to play in the Barracuda Championship in July 2025 due to the PGA Tour’s media rights restrictions, which would have prevented him from filming content for his YouTube channel during the competition rounds. The Tour’s policy prohibits unsanctioned filming during official events, a rule that conflicts with the business model of many content creators.
Frequently Asked Questions
Did Grant Horvat play in the official PGA Tour event?
No, Grant Horvat did not compete in the official 2026 American Express tournament. He participated in the Pro-Am segment, which is a separate competition held alongside the main event.
What is a PGA Tour Pro-Am?
A Pro-Am, short for Professional-Amateur, is a tournament format where a professional golfer is paired with an amateur partner. These events are often held in conjunction with a PGA Tour event, allowing celebrities, influencers, and amateurs to compete on the same course as the professionals, but in a separate competition with its own leaderboard.
Why was there confusion about his participation?
The initial announcement lacked specific details, leading many fans to assume Horvat’s sponsor exemption granted him entry into the main tournament. The PGA Tour’s media rights structure, which Horvat had cited as his reason for declining the Barracuda Championship, applies equally to all Tour events, including Pro-Ams.
What is Horvat’s background in competitive golf?
Grant Horvat played Division II college golf at Palm Beach Atlantic University. He has competed in one Korn Ferry Tour event, the BMW Charity Pro-Am in June 2025. He also won the 2025 Creator Classic at TPC Sawgrass, a high-profile event within the golf content creator community.