Phil Mickelson will "officially become the host" of the PGA Tour American Express in an effort to "expand his role" with the newly renamed tourney and California's Coachella Valley, according to Larry Bohannan of the Palm Springs DESERT SUN. Mickelson has been the tournament's ambassador for the last three years in a "behind-the-scenes role where he talked up the tournament to fellow PGA Tour players and corporate heads." During Saturday's announcement, Mickelson said that "exact details of what his duties will be as host of the event six weeks away are still being worked out." In reference to the new five-year sponsorship deal with American Express, Mickelson said, "Now we have the partner that we want to bring it to a whole other level." Meanwhile, Mickelson said that he and his wife, Amy, are "committed to becoming more a part of the Coachella Valley community." Mickelson added that he "would like to see the tournament return to the days" when Bob Hope was host and the event "held a special place on the PGA Tour schedule for players" like Jack Nicklaus, Billy Casper, Johnny Miller and five-time winner Arnold Palmer. Meanwhile, the tournament's music series in '20 will feature Stevie Nicks and Luke Bryan (Palm Spring DESERT SUN, 11/24).
