Tour Championship: Scheffler leads, McIlroy and others challenge at East Lake

The Tour Championship: 30 Golfers in Pursuit of Glory and Millions at Stake

Atlanta prepares for the Tour Championship, where the golf elite will compete for a $40 million prize at East Lake Golf Club. This year, the competition returns to a level playing field, with the 30 golfers starting at par on Thursday. Even the world’s number one, Scottie Scheffler, who has dominated in several recent competitions, will not have an initial advantage. Rory McIlroy, a Masters winner, commented that this creates an opportunity for other golfers to shine and aspire to win the grand prize.

Here’s a look at the 30 golfers competing in the Tour Championship:

• Scottie Scheffler:

With his current form, Scheffler is the favorite. He will try to become the first back-to-back FedEx Cup champion and one of three golfers with multiple FedEx titles.

• Rory McIlroy:

After a recent comeback, McIlroy will seek to add another title to his record at East Lake, where he has won three times. His consistency makes him a formidable competitor.

• Ludvig Åberg:

The former Texas Tech star has shown good performance just in time for the FedEx Cup playoffs and the Ryder Cup.

• Tommy Fleetwood:

Despite being close to his first PGA Tour victory, Fleetwood will seek to break that barrier at the Tour Championship.

• Viktor Hovland:

Hovland, with a victory at the Valspar Championship this year, seeks to regain his best form and excel in the tournament.

• Russell Henley:

With his precision and good play, Henley could be a strong contender.

• Harris English:

English returns to the Tour Championship after recovering from an injury and enjoying a successful season.

• Sam Burns:

Burns will seek a good performance to secure his place in the Ryder Cup, leveraging his skill on Bermuda greens.

• Collin Morikawa:

Morikawa will seek to improve his performance and consolidate his position for the Ryder Cup.

• Patrick Cantlay:

Cantlay is hoping for a good result to secure a place on the Ryder Cup team.

• Justin Thomas:

Thomas hopes that his return to East Lake will help him improve his performance.

• Robert MacIntyre:

MacIntyre, after a standout season, will seek to make his mark on the tournament.

• Harry Hall:

Hall, with an excellent recent performance, seeks to secure a place on the European Ryder Cup team.

• Sepp Straka:

Straka, after missing the BMW Championship, could depend on a captain’s pick for the Ryder Cup.

• J.J. Spaun:

Spaun, already qualified for the Ryder Cup, will play without pressure in his first participation at East Lake.

• Cameron Young:

Young, with his victory at the Wyndham Championship, will seek to impress to be considered for the Ryder Cup.

• Ben Griffin:

Griffin, with a good performance in the playoffs, seeks to be considered for the Ryder Cup.

• Maverick McNealy:

McNealy, with a solid performance, seeks a place on the Ryder Cup team.

• Justin Rose:

Rose, 2018 FedEx Cup champion, secured his place in the Ryder Cup.

• Brian Harman:

Harman is looking for a good result to secure his place in the Ryder Cup.

• Akshay Bhatia:

Bhatia, after an improved performance in the playoffs, is looking for a good result in the tournament.

• Corey Conners:

Conners, known for his iron game, seeks to improve his consistency.

• Keegan Bradley:

Bradley, Ryder Cup captain, seeks a good performance.

• Sungjae Im:

Im seeks to improve his performance at East Lake, where he has had success in the past.

• Hideki Matsuyama:

Matsuyama is looking for his first victory since the start of the season, seeking to improve his game.

• Shane Lowry:

Lowry is at risk of losing his place in the European Ryder Cup, despite his good play.

• Chris Gotterup:

Gotterup needs an outstanding performance to re-enter the Ryder Cup contention.

• Nick Taylor:

Taylor, along with Conners, represents Canada in the tournament.

• Andrew Novak:

Novak seeks to recover from a disappointing performance at the BMW Championship.

• Jacob Bridgeman:

Bridgeman seeks to solidify his place on the PGA Tour after a challenging season.