2026 TOUR Championship Preview & Golf Pool Tips

The 2026 TOUR Championship, the culminating event of the PGA TOUR season, is set to bring the world’s best golfers to East Lake Golf Club in Atlanta, Georgia. This season-ending playoff crowns the FedExCup champion and features only the top 30 players from the FedExCup standings. With massive stakes and a unique staggered-start format (players begin with different scores based on their FedExCup rank), the TOUR Championship promises high drama and strategic intrigue.

Tips for Entering a Golf Pool for the 2026 TOUR Championship

1. Understand the Format

• The staggered leaderboard ("Starting Strokes") means the leader may begin as much as 10-under par, with the lowest-ranked qualifiers starting at even par. This has a huge impact on both total earnings and to-par pool formats.

2. Evaluate Recent Form

• Only the hottest players reach East Lake. Focus on who’s peaking after the playoffs (FedEx St. Jude, BMW) – recent top-10 finishes matter more than overall seasonal performance.

3. Course History

• East Lake favors strong ball-strikers and solid putters. Examine past performances at this course, as experience here can give players an edge.

4. Tier Strategy

• With pools often tiered by FedExCup ranking, dig deep into mid-to-lower seeds. These "sleepers" can offer value, especially if they're trending upward or have strong East Lake records.

5. Weather Adjustments

• Atlanta late-summer weather can mean rain and soft conditions or dry, fast fairways. Check the forecast and see which players excel in those setups.

6. Scoring vs. Earnings Pools

• In “to-par” pools, the staggered start is crucial—don’t overlook a player starting several strokes back if their current form is hot. In “earnings” pools, outright win and top 5 finish potential are king.

7. Spread Risk

• Don’t load up on just the favorites. Even in a small field, surprises happen—diversify across tiers for better odds.

8. Don’t Forget Motivation

• Some players may be “just happy to be there,” while others are eyeing life-changing bonuses. Research who has the most at stake and who’s shown killer instinct late in the playoffs.

Bottom Line: The TOUR Championship has an unusual format, a select field, and massive rewards at stake. Do your homework on player form, course history, and tier dynamics to give yourself the best chance in your golf pool!