The Tour Championship: Golf’s High-Stakes Season Finale (2025 Update)

 

By HGolf Australia — Your home for golf balls, golf tees and all things golf.

If the PGA Tour season is a long road trip, the Tour Championship is that final, thrilling stretch before you pull into the driveway. It’s the last stop of the FedExCup Playoffs — a pressure cooker where the best players of the year battle for the trophy, the bonus money and a spot in golf history.

What’s New in 2025: Everyone Starts at Even Par

Big change: the Tour Championship has ditched starting strokes. From 2025 onward, all 30 qualifiers begin at even par and play a straight 72-hole stroke-play event at East Lake Golf Club in Atlanta. Simple as — lowest four-round total wins the Tour Championship and the FedExCup.

  • Format: 72 holes, stroke play, no cut.
  • Field: Top 30 players from the FedExCup standings.
  • Result: The tournament winner is crowned FedExCup champion.

This reset keeps the finale easy to follow and fair: no head starts, just elite players going shot-for-shot under proper Sunday heat.

Quick History (The Short Version)

  • 1987: Tour Championship debuts as the season ender.
  • 2007: Becomes the FedExCup finale — season-long race meets winner-takes-all drama.
  • 2019–2024: “Starting strokes” era (now retired).
  • 2025 → Back to pure stroke play at even par.

Past champions include legends like Tiger Woods, Rory McIlroy and Viktor Hovland — proof that East Lake rewards guts, patience and razor-sharp decision-making.

Why Aussies Should Care

This is golf with the volume turned up. With only 30 players and no cut, there’s nowhere to hide — every drive off the golf tee, every approach, every nervy six-footer matters. It’s binge-worthy viewing for fans, and a goldmine of ideas for your own game: course management, shot selection and how to handle pressure when the fairways feel tight.

It’s also a rolling gear lab. Watch closely and you’ll spot the pros gaming premium golf balls for ideal launch, spin and control — the tiny edges that add up when the stakes are massive.

Gear Tips Inspired by East Lake

  • Dial in your golf ball: If you want more spin control into firm greens, look at urethane-cover tour-level golf balls. Chasing distance and forgiveness? Consider lower-compression options.
  • Choose the right tee height: Consistent launch starts with consistent setup. Stock up on long golf tees for the driver and shorter tees for precision on par-3s.
  • Play the percentages: Pros win at East Lake by missing in the right spots. Aim for smart targets, not hero lines.

Fast Facts

  • Venue: East Lake Golf Club, Atlanta — classic design with a modern bite.
  • Field size: 30 players, no cut.
  • Scoring: Everyone starts at even par; lowest 72-hole total wins.
  • Bonus money: FedExCup payouts awarded to all 30 players, with a massive winner’s share.

Keep Learning (and Lowering Your Scores)

References

For readers who want to dive deeper into the 2025 format update:

Final Word

The Tour Championship is golf at full throttle — a clean, even-par start for the best 30 players and four rounds to settle it. Whether you’re here for the drama or ideas to sharpen your weekend game, it’s must-watch viewing. And if you’re chasing your own edge, start with the kit: the right golf ball, the right golf tee, the right mindset.

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