The 2026 Tour Championship began at East Lake Golf Club in Atlanta, featuring the top 30 FedEx Cup points leaders competing for a $40 million purse with $10 million for the winner [1, 2, 3]. East Lake is a demanding 7,455-yard, par-70 course favoring long hitters and Bermuda-grass specialists [3].
Scottie Scheffler enters as the heavy favorite, based on his 2024 Tour Championship win and consistent history at East Lake, including top-10 finishes in 2023 and 2025 [1, 2]. Rory McIlroy, a three-time Tour Championship winner in 2016, 2019, and 2022, holds the second-best odds [1, 2]. McIlroy said he is "overall encouraged with how I played this week compared to what it was last week [in Memphis], and certainly something to build ongoing into East Lake" [1]. Other standout contenders with strong odds include Chris Gotterup, Hideki Matsuyama, and Russell Henley, who have games that suit the course well [3].
Six players make their Tour Championship debuts this year: Ryan Gerard, Min Woo Lee, Alex Fitzpatrick, Kristopher Reitan, Alex Smalley, and Ryan Fox [1, 2]. Following the BMW Championship, Gary Woodland, Patrick Cantlay, and Robert MacIntyre moved into the top 30 points to qualify for the event [2]. Woodland and Cantlay’s inclusion marks a late-season shakeup to the field.
No player has defended the Tour Championship title since the tournament format changed. Tommy Fleetwood won last year for his first PGA Tour victory [2]. Shane Bacon noted Si Woo Kim as an under-the-radar consistent player but without many trophies, comparing him to Fleetwood’s breakthrough [1]. The tournament is now in its second year using the even-par starting strokes format at Tour Championship [3].
A new PGA Tour postseason format set for 2028 will expand the field to 90 players initially and conclude with match play [3]. For now, the top 30 are all-in this week at East Lake pursuing the $10 million winner’s prize.
The tournament runs through August 30, with daily rounds determining who will take the FedEx Cup crown and the largest prize in golf this season [1, 2, 3].
