From FedEx Cup Millions to Pro V1 Magic: The Complete Guide to the Tour Championship

The Tour Championship: Where Golf’s Season Reaches Its Peak

Every sport has its ultimate stage—the World Series in baseball, the Super Bowl in football, Wimbledon in tennis. For golf, that stage is the Tour Championship. Held annually at East Lake Golf Club in Atlanta, Georgia, this event brings together the top 30 players of the PGA Tour season for a final showdown that crowns the FedEx Cup Champion.

It’s not just another tournament. It’s the culmination of an entire year’s worth of points, performance, and persistence. For players, winning here means prestige, legacy, and one of the largest paydays in golf.

A Quick History of the Tour Championship

The Tour Championship has evolved significantly since its debut:

• 1987 – First played as the Nabisco Championship.
• 2004 – East Lake Golf Club becomes its permanent home, honoring the legacy of Bobby Jones.
• 2007 – The Tour Championship becomes the finale of the newly launched FedEx Cup Playoffs.
• 2016 – East Lake reverses its nines, ensuring the event finishes on a risk-reward par-5 for added drama.
• 2019 – The Starting Strokes format is introduced: the FedEx Cup leader begins at -10, second place at -8, and so on, creating a weighted leaderboard that guarantees the Tour Championship winner is also the FedEx Cup champion.
• 2025 – The Starting Strokes format is eliminated. All 30 players now begin at even par, returning the Tour Championship to a traditional 72-hole stroke play event.

This format can be confusing to casual fans, but it ensures the season’s best performers have a built-in advantage.

What’s at Stake

The FedEx Cup Bonus Pool is one of the richest prize funds in sports. In recent years:

• The total pool has been around $75 million.
• The winner’s share is a staggering $18 million.
• Importantly, these payouts come from the bonus pool and do not count as “official money” toward career earnings.

Beyond the cash, the winner secures massive world ranking points, a five-year PGA Tour exemption, and a career-defining achievement.

East Lake: The Stage for Champions

East Lake is more than just a golf course—it’s history. The home of Bobby Jones, it has been central to Atlanta’s golf tradition for over a century. Today, it also supports the East Lake Foundation, which funds education and community programs in the surrounding neighborhood.

The layout itself is designed for drama:

• Par 70, roughly 7,300–7,400 yards depending on setup.
• Zoysia grass fairways, which make iron shots sit up beautifully.
• A par-5 finishing hole where birdie or bogey can swing millions of dollars.

When the FedEx Cup is on the line, East Lake provides a stage worthy of golf’s biggest names.

Iconic Moments from Past Championships

The Tour Championship consistently delivers high-drama finishes:

• Tiger Woods, 2018 – His emotional walk up 18, surrounded by thousands of fans pouring onto the fairway, remains one of golf’s most iconic sights.
• Rory McIlroy, 2022 – Overcame a six-shot deficit in the final round to capture his third FedEx Cup.
• Dustin Johnson, 2020 – Clinched the Cup under the Starting Strokes system, proving the value of season-long consistency.
• Jordan Spieth, 2015 – Won the Tour Championship and the FedEx Cup in one of his career-defining seasons.

These moments underline why the Tour Championship is not just a finale—it’s a spectacle.

Golf Balls: The Hidden Factor at East Lake

When $18 million is on the line, the smallest details matter—and nothing is more critical than the golf ball.

Popular Balls Among the Pros

• Scottie Scheffler – Titleist Pro V1
• Rory McIlroy – TaylorMade TP5
• Tommy Fleetwood – TaylorMade TP5x Pix
• Russell Henley – Titleist Pro V1x
• Shane Lowry – Srixon Z-Star XV

Titleist dominates the professional scene, with the Pro V1 and Pro V1x used by over 70% of PGA Tour players. But TaylorMade, Callaway, and Srixon also have loyalists among golf’s elite.

Why Ball Choice Matters

• Spin & Control – A firmer ball like the Pro V1x generates more spin, making it easier to attack tucked pins.
• Launch & Distance – Models like the TP5x or Z-Star XV provide high launch and long carry, crucial on a demanding course like East Lake.
• Feel Around the Greens – Softer balls (Pro V1, TP5) excel in touch shots, giving players confidence when putting for millions.

What Everyday Golfers Can Learn

You don’t need to play for the FedEx Cup to understand the lesson: your golf ball matters.

• If you want control and a soft feel: Try Pro V1 or TP5.
• If you want higher launch and more spin: Test Pro V1x or TP5x.
• If you want value without compromise: Shop premium used golf balls—you’ll get the same tour-trusted models without paying tour-level prices.

At Two Guys with Balls, every ball is cleaned, graded, and backed by a 100% satisfaction guarantee.

Final Thoughts

The Tour Championship is golf’s season finale: part history, part high-stakes competition, part showcase of nerves under pressure. Whether it’s Tiger’s 2018 return, Rory’s clutch 2022 comeback, or the latest drama at East Lake, this event defines careers.

And just like the pros, your performance often comes down to the ball you trust. Ready to find yours? Explore our full collection of premium used golf balls and play the same brands trusted by champions—for less.