Senden’s inclusion takes the Aussies present at PGA West in La Quinta to six, Victorian Cameron Percy also to make his first start of the year having not played since withdrawing from the Mayakoba Classic in December.

A two-time winner on the PGA TOUR with more than $US21 million in career earnings, Senden received 11 starts last year based on the number of career cuts he has made (313) and snuck into the field this week following the withdrawal of American Ryan Brehm on Tuesday.

Due to celebrate his 50th birthday on April 20, Senden missed the cut in the corresponding tournament 12 months ago and has a best finish of tied for sixth in this event in 2012.

With his son Jacob’s health battles taking priority in recent years, Senden has made 39 starts over the past four seasons and made the cut 16 times.

Sitting 56th on the FedEx Cup on the back of his tie for 11th in Hawaii last week, Matt Jones is quietly putting together a strong foundation to build from in 2021.

A top-five finish at the Bermuda Championship was an important result at the back end of 2020 and 13 birdies and an eagle in his final 36 holes at the Sony Open is the type of momentum necessary at a tournament renowned for its low scores.

Jones’ best result at PGA West was a tie for eighth in 2008 when the tournament was played over five rounds while in 2014 he was tied for 13th in the four-round event.

Other Aussies in action this week are Aaron Baddeley, Rhein Gibson and Cameron Percy along with Kiwis Danny Lee and Tim Wilkinson.

The LPGA Tour and Champions Tour both begin their seasons this week but there are no Australians in either field.

Round 1 tee times (AEDT)

PGA TOUR
The American Express
PGA West (Stadium Course), La Quinta, California
Nicklaus Tournament Course
4.10am*              Aaron Baddeley, James Hahn, Doc Redman
5.10am*              Rhein Gibson, Vincent Whaley, Ben Taylor
5.20am*              Cameron Davis, Tim Wilkinson, Lucas Glover

Stadium Course
4.10am John Senden, Abraham Ancer, Scottie Scheffler
4.20am Danny Lee, Charl Schwartzel, Robby Shelton
5am*     Matt Jones, Brian Stuard, Doug Ghim
6am*     Cameron Percy, Vaughn Taylor, Ben Martin

* Starting from 10th tee

Defending champion: Andrew Landry
Past Aussie winners: Bruce Devlin (1970)
Top Aussie prediction: Matt Jones
TV schedule: Live 7am-11am Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday on Fox Sports 503.