The Tour Championship is making its 24th appearance at East Lake, but the players are experiencing it as if it’s a new golf course. Architect Andrew Green led a significant renovation that transformed the course, with every tee, fairway, green, and bunker being rebuilt. The changes are so drastic that players like Xander Schauffele and Scottie Scheffler feel like they are playing a completely different course.

Schauffele, who has excelled at East Lake in the past, expressed skepticism about the revamped course. He highlighted that everything from the bunkers to the greens is new, making it a challenge for players to rely on their past experiences at the venue. The renovations were based on 1949 aerials of East Lake, ensuring a historical restoration of the course that was originally established in 1904.

The Tour Championship holds significant stakes with the winner receiving $25 million from the FedEx Cup. Players like Schauffele, who has performed well at East Lake in the past, now have to adapt to the changes and devise new strategies. The format now includes a staggered start, with Scheffler leading at 10-under par, two shots ahead of Schauffele when the tournament begins.

The alterations to East Lake have led players to consider new strategies, such as hitting drives left on certain holes to gain better angles to the green. The firmness of the greens also poses challenges, with tour officials opting not to use a back tee on certain holes to ensure the ball holds on the green. Despite the uncertainties surrounding the revamped course, players are gearing up for the competition and the opportunity to claim the prestigious title of Tour Championship winner.