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3h ago

Tour Championship Tees Off Under New Even-Start Format With Scheffler the Clear Favorite

The East Lake finale doubles as a $40 million payday with Ryder Cup auditions, a shift PGA Tour chief Brian Rolapp deems a positive move.

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Aug 17, 2025; Owings Mills, Maryland, USA; Tommy Fleetwood misses a putt on the ninth hole during the final round of the BMW Championship golf tournament. Mandatory Credit: Rafael Suanes-Imagn Images
KOHLER, WISCONSIN - SEPTEMBER 26: Lee Westwood of England and team Europe helps Harris English of team United States up an incline on the 18th hole during Sunday Singles Matches of the 43rd Ryder Cup at Whistling Straits on September 26, 2021 in Kohler, Wisconsin. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)

Overview

  • The PGA Tour scrapped the 'starting strokes' system, so all 30 qualifiers begin at even par at East Lake.
  • World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler, fresh off a BMW Championship win and defending his FedEx Cup, is the heavy betting favorite.
  • Scheffler said he is happier with the new setup—joking "no more sandbagging"—and pointed to Tiger Woods’ shot‑by‑shot intensity as his model.
  • PGA Tour CEO Brian Rolapp publicly endorsed the format change as beneficial for competition and clarity.
  • Rory McIlroy said he didn’t mind the prior advantage and noted match play was discussed for future editions, as this week also serves as a final Ryder Cup audition before captain’s picks.