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4w 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
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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.