Tour Championship 2025: East Lake Drama — Tee Times, Favorites, How to Watch & Live Leaderboard Guide

Tour Championship

Everything you need for the 2025 TOUR Championship: tee times, featured groups, favorites (Scheffler, McIlroy), FedExCup stakes, live leaderboard links and viewing info.

Quick snapshot — what’s happening at the TOUR Championship

The 2025 TOUR Championship (Aug. 21–24) — the finale of the PGA Tour’s FedExCup Playoffs — lands at East Lake Golf Club in Atlanta with the season’s top 30 players battling for the FedExCup crown, a multi-million dollar payout, and the final bit of year-long bragging rights. Scottie Scheffler arrives as the hottest name after a dominant BMW Championship performance; Rory McIlroy, Xander Schauffele (if in form), and a handful of longshots will push for the trophy. For live scoring, the PGA TOUR leaderboard is the single best source.

Why the TOUR Championship matters (and what’s changed)

The TOUR Championship isn’t just another tournament — it closes the season and decides the FedExCup champion. The event’s format and FedExCup points can be complicated, but the basics are simple: the top 30 players from the FedExCup standings compete, and the end result crowns the season-long champion. In recent years the Tour has tweaked the presentation and seeding of the finale, and players such as Scottie Scheffler have publicly favored the revised approach that reduces “sandbagging” incentives. This year’s field reads like an all-star index of the season’s best performers.

Who to watch — favorites, sleepers, and storylines

Top favorites

  • Scottie Scheffler — Coming off a dominant BMW Championship win and already an MVP-level season, Scheffler is the clear favorite to secure a second straight FedExCup. His current form and course management make him a must-watch.
  • Rory McIlroy — Always in the conversation; if his iron play and putting click, he’s a serious threat.

Dark horses / Watchlist

  • Players returning from form swings — East Lake’s Pete Dye–style setup rewards precision and scrambling; keep an eye on attackers who have ended the season hot. Sportsbooks and analytics models list several +2000 to +5000 longshots worth watching if you like volatility.

Key narratives

  • Back-to-back possibilities: Scheffler could become the first player in recent memory to back up a FedExCup win, cementing 2025 as his era.
  • Format & fairness debate: With the Tour adjusting formats in recent seasons, players and fans debate whether the finale best reflects the “best season” or simply the hottest week. Expect opinions and commentary to ramp up across broadcast windows.

 

Tee times & pairings — Round 1 (Thursday) quick guide

Round-1 tee times and featured groups kick off Thursday at East Lake. The exact times shift with the groupings and weather, but the first groups generally start late morning ET. CBS, Golf Digest and Golf.com have published full Round-1 pairings and suggested featured groups — consult those pages for printable schedules and local TV windows. Key featured groups typically include the top-ranked players and those in the top-10 FedExCup positions.

Example: Tee times were posted with the event’s first group scheduled around 11:16 a.m. ET (Thursday), while featured groups with top players receive afternoon windows for broader TV audiences. Check the PGA TOUR site and local broadcaster pages for last-minute adjustments.

How to watch (TV, streaming, coverage windows)

  • U.S. TV & streaming: Early rounds and featured groups are covered by Golf Channel and CBS with streaming available via the CBS/Paramount app and PGA TOUR Live where applicable. Daily broadcast windows vary, with featured afternoon coverage on network television. For a viewer’s guide and channel schedule, Golf Digest and Golf.com provide region-specific viewing tables.
  • International rights: UK and international fans should check Sky Sports, TNT Sports, or local rights holders for live windows and highlights packages. The PGA TOUR site lists official broadcast partners.

Live leaderboard & in-depth stats — where to follow minute-by-minute

For live scoring, shot-by-shot updates, hole-by-hole scoring, and official leaderboards, use:

  1. PGA TOUR Live / Leaderboard — the authoritative real-time scoreboard for the TOUR Championship.
  2. ESPN / CBS Sports / Golf Channel — for commentary, advanced stats, and TV graphics integrated into live coverage.

If you run a live blog or social feed, embed the PGA TOUR leaderboard and use the official scoring feed for accuracy.

Course notes — East Lake Golf Club (what players face)

East Lake is a classic Pete Dye–influenced course with tight scoring corridors, demanding approach shots, and risk/reward holes around small, well-protected greens. Off-the-tee accuracy, approach-shot iron play, and short-game recovery are often decisive in Atlanta. Wind and afternoon storms can also change the equation, so local weather and tee times play into who gets the best conditions.

 

Prize money & FedExCup implications

The TOUR Championship closes the FedExCup playoff chain and includes a significant purse and FedExCup bonus distribution. Exact payout breakdowns vary year to year; CBS Sports published the 2025 purse and the prize allocation for FedExCup positions. Beyond the trophy, the winner secures major season-ending bonuses and elevated status for the following season (exemptions, invitations, and end-of-year honors).

Betting & fantasy angles — smart ways to play

  • Favor form over name: Recent winners often come from players who peaked in the BMW Championship or showed form in similar greens-speed conditions. Models running thousands of simulations often return favorites like Scheffler as the highest win probability, with select longshots offering value.
  • Prop bets: Look for prop markets (round-leader, top-10s, matchups) rather than headliners – mid-week performance and weather can swing outcomes. Sportsbooks and experts at CBS Sports and SportsLine publish model-based picks and favored props.

Day-by-day viewing checklist (what to watch each round)

  • Thursday (Round 1): Get pairings and tee times; check wind and afternoon showers; watch featured groups in the afternoon window.
  • Friday (Round 2): Standings tighten; look for players making early weekend surges.
  • Saturday (Round 3): Positioning day — leaders try to separate; scramble stats and GIR% become telling metrics.
  • Sunday (Final Round): FedExCup crown day — expect strategic play and late momentum swings; CBS network coverage typically ramps viewer reach.

Quick FAQ (rich-snippet ready)

When is the 2025 TOUR Championship?
Aug. 21–24, 2025 at East Lake Golf Club, Atlanta, GA.

Where can I see live scoring?
Use the PGA TOUR leaderboard for real-time scores and shot tracking.

Who’s the favorite?
Scottie Scheffler is a leading favorite after winning the BMW Championship and earning top FedExCup positioning.

How do tee times work?
Round-1 tee times are published by PGA TOUR and media outlets (Golf Digest, CBS); featured groups typically tee off in prime TV slots. Check the official tee-times page for the most current schedule.

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