Tournament Preview

The Tour Championship is the culminating event of the PGA Tour Playoffs for the FedExCup, with only the top 30 players on the points list qualifying each year.

In 2022 Rory McIlroy rallied from six shots behind top-seed Scottie Scheffler heading into the final day to win the Tour Championship by a single shot, on 21 under par, and claim the FedExCup for the third time.

He broke a couple of records along the way too – becoming the first golfer to win the FedExCup three times after shooting 66 under par in the final round, and marking the largest final-round comeback in Tour Championship history.

It was a dramatic final day with the crowd chanting McIlroy’s name as he recorded six birdies and two bogeys to hold off playing partner Scheffler.

The Northern Irishman will be one to watch again this year as the world’s top golfers tee it up at East Lake Golf Club. Established in 1904, this private club in Atlanta has hosted many golf tournaments including the 1963 Ryder Cup. The Tour Championship was first played at East Lake in 1998 and has been held there 22 times since then. This par-70 course became the permanent home of the event in 2005.

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Highlights of Rory McIlroy’s final-round 66 at the 2022 Tour Championship.

There are several standout holes on the course, but the 209-yard par-three 15th has been called one of the world’s toughest holes and has proved to be intimidating for many players.

The peninsula green is encircled by a huge lake with a bunker on the left, which offers the hole’s only bailout. The hole is completely exposed to the elements so if the prevailing wind is up, it will have an effect, pushing the ball towards the water on the right of the green. Often played over par, the 15th has also proved disastrous for players in the past.

Harris English bucked that trend, though, in 2021 when he made his first hole-in-one in a competitive round during the first round of the Tour Championship. It was also the first ace on the 15th at the event. “I don’t know how loud I got. I kind of blacked out there for 15 seconds. I know my caddie was pumped. He’s a big wine guy and I know he’s not going to forget about that one. I’m probably going to have to buy him wine. That’s how it’s going to be,” said English after his round of 66.

PAST 10 TOUR CHAMPIONSHIP WINNERS

2021-2022 Rory McIlroy

2020-2021 Patrick Cantlay

2019-2020 Dustin Johnson

2018-2019 Rory McIlroy

2017-2018 Tiger Woods

2016-2017 Xander Schauffele

2015-2016 Rory McIlroy

2014-2015 Jordan Spieth

2013-2014 Billy Horschel

2013 Henrik Stenson

Pic credits: www.eastlakegolfclub.com