As has become an annual tradition since the quasi-handicap format was brought into play, this week will be full of mixed opinions on the PGA Tour’s season finale, the Tour Championship as it descends on Atlanta.
An attempt to reward season long play and Playoffs performance in the form of a FedExCup winner, the 30 player event sees the top seed start at 10-under with the remaining 29 golfers in a staggered start based on their position.
The effort to make something more of the FedExCup Playoffs concept to incentivise players is an admirable one, but the idea of getting down to brass tacks with the best performers of the year only to effectively rule out a number has not been a widely popular one.
Scottie Scheffler will be the one to start with the advantage, the World No.1 two shots in front of last week’s winner Patrick Cantlay, and a massive 10 shots ahead of the likes of Adam Scott, who has been one of the standouts over the prior fortnight of Playoffs golf. Meanwhile, the third ranked player heading into this week, Will Zalatoris, was forced to withdraw from this event and the Presidents Cup with a back injury.
All that aside, East Lake has produced some memorable moments over the years, and once again, the club with strong ties to Bobby Jones takes centre stage this week before more LIV Golf signings will reportedly be unveiled in the immediate aftermath.
DEFENDING CHAMPION: The record says Patrick Cantlay finished at 21-under-par in 2021 to claim the Tour Championship and FedExCup, but as the top ranked player entering the week, his score over 72-holes was in fact 11-under.
Cantlay was a deserving champion though, after winning the previous week at the BMW Championship the American led by one with one hole to play and hit it close to secure what the circuit calls “golf’s ultimate prize”.
Despite Cantlay’s birdie at the last, Jon Rahm had a chance to force extra holes with a chip-in at the last, but it wasn’t to be. The Spaniard finishing in front of Kevin Na in third and Justin Thomas just off the podium.
Na and Rahm were tied for the low gross score of the week of 266, two in front of East Lake specialist Xander Schauffele.
COURSE: For the 22nd time, East Lake Golf Club welcomes the final event of the PGA Tour schedule this year.
After a nomadic existence in the early years when the tournament came into existence in 1987, the course near the centre of Atlanta became the permanent host in 2004.
The home club of the legendary Bobby Jones, East Lake opened for play in 1908 as part of the Atlanta Athletic Club before Donald Ross was brought in to rework the layout in 1913.
A second course was added 15 years later, with Ross once again the chosen architect. A turbulent period saw a number of changes, including the return to 18 holes, with Rees Jones arriving in 1994 to return the course to Ross’ original work.
Traditionally finishing with a par-3 over water, the club reversed the nines in 2016, with a 551 yard par-5 now the conclusion.
Measuring 7,346 yards, East Lake will play to a par of 70 this week.
RELATED: So-called expert golf tips for this week
PRIZEMONEY: US$109,000,000 (including bonus money)
PLAYERS TO WATCH: He is the top of the world rankings and the FedExCup and Scottie Scheffler is a very likely winner of the whole kit and kaboodle this week.
After a surprising missed cut in Memphis, the Scheffler who we have come to expect in 2022 returned last week on his way to a share of third at the BMW Championship.
The American is one of the premier ball strikers in world golf, and that is the primary skill that East Lake examines.
Chasing down a second straight FedExCup title, last week’s winner Patrick Cantlay will likely figure here again.
Despite a different venue, Cantlay was in the same sort of mood and form at the BMW in Delaware and clearly enjoys East Lake while starting just two back of Scheffler has a better chance than most.
RIGHT: One of the best performers of the Playoffs so far, Adam Scott will chase a big pay day this week. PHOTO: Rob Carr/Getty Images.
Like Zalatoris, Cam Smith has also had recent injury troubles and skipped last week altogether with a niggling hip issue after his rules snafu the week prior.
The Aussie has been fantastic all year, but skipping last week means he will start six shots in arrears of Scheffler.
Nothing to write home about from his previous Tour Championship appearances so far, but 2022 Cam is a much different prospect than in prior years.
Will once again likely face questions as to if he will be one of the seven rumoured LIV signings set to be announced on Monday following the event, but Smith has done a good job of putting exterior noise to the side and playing good golf this year.
The only other Aussie to make it to East Lake, Adam Scott is almost no chance of winning the lot this week when he starts at even par, but Scott will be good to watch this week having impressively played his way into the event.
Scott moved from the outside to in before the BMW Championship cut off at 70 players, and did the same to get in this week.
As he is at The Masters, Scott is the lone Aussie champion of this event and his golf of late has been top class.
Set to make his 10th Presidents Cup appearance next month, the Queenslander appears to have found something of late.
72-HOLE RECORD: 257 (-23, Tiger Woods, 2007)
18-HOLE RECORD: 60 (Zach Johnson, 2007)
PAST AUSSIE WINNERS: Adam Scott (2006)
AUSTRALIANS IN THE FIELD: Cam Smith and Adam Scott
TV TIMES*
Round 1: Friday (Fox Sports 503 3am – 8am)
Round 2: Saturday (Fox Sports 503 3am – 8am)
Round 3: Sunday (Fox Sports 503 3am – 8am)
Round 4: Monday (Fox Sports 503 3am – 8am)
*AEST, check local guides
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