As the Tour Championship gets underway on Friday morning (AEST), it’s not just the action taking place on the course that will likely be making headlines.
Instead, it is the rumored group of seven PGA Tour stars that will reportedly join the controversial LIV Golf series after that will dominate the conversations at East Lake.
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It will be the last tournament that these players will compete in, as the PGA Tour to date has banned everyone who tees off in an LIV event from competing in their events.
One of the seven is expected to be Australian star Cameron Smith, as he is set to join the Saudi-backed tour in a deal worth approximately $AUD140 million.
And in an even tastier twist, Smith has been paired with Rory McIlroy for the Tour Championship.
McIlroy has been one of the leading voices on the PGA Tour for ideas in terms of innovation and making it more entertaining for fans.
The Northern Irishman has also taken his fair share of swipes at LIV.
On the eve of the tournament, McIlroy also urged the group of seven to have “all the facts” before jumping ship for good.
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Smith is expected to be joined by Marc Leishman on the breakaway tour, but there have been strong rumors that Japanese star and 2021 Masters winner Hideki Matsuyama will be another member of the seven.
Matsuyama is also competing at the Tour Championship, but would no doubt bring plenty of Japanese sponsors armed with cash to LIV should he ultimately defect from the PGA Tour.
There’s also the mystery surrounding Aussie star Adam Scott’s future.
Scott has been heavily linked with a move to the rebel tour, but his decision to appear at a Tiger Woods-led meeting of 22 players on the PGA tour perhaps says otherwise.
With the next LIV tournament scheduled in Boston for September 2, the golfing world is set to explode in the coming week.
HOW IT WORKS
The Tour Championship is the final event of the FedEx Cup. The playing field is the top 30 points leaders after the BMW Championship. Scottie Scheffler, who is the points leader going into the event, will start at 10-under par. Patrick Cantlay starts at 8-under, Xander Schauffele at 6-under and Sam Burns at 5-under.
WHEN IS IT?
The Tour Championship begins on August 26 and wraps up on August 29.
HOW TO WATCH?
You can watch all of the action from the Tour Championship LIVE via Foxtel or Kayo. It begins on August 26 at 3am on Fox Sports Channel 503.
WHERE IS IT?
The Tour Championship is held at East Lake Golf Club in Atlanta, Georgia.
PRIZE MONEY
The last man standing at the Tour Championship will pocket a cool $AUD25 million. Second place will win $9.3 million while third takes home $7.2 million.
ODDS (VIA TAB)
Scottie Scheffler – $3
Patrick Cantlay – $5
Xander Schauffele – $7
Rory McIlroy – $9
Jon Rahm – $15
Cameron Smith – $17
Tony Finau – $26
Sam Burns – $26
Justin Thomas – $29
Adam Scott – $126
TEE TIMES (ALL TIMES AEST)
1:45am: Aaron Wise
1:55am: Adam Scott (AUS) and Sahith Theegala
2:05am: KH Lee and JT Poston
2:15am: Corey Conners and Brian Harman
2:25am: Billy Horschel and Tom Hoge
2:35am: Viktor Hovland and Collin Morikawa
2:45am: Jordan Spieth and Joaquin Niemann
2:55am: Max Homa and Hideki Matsuyama
3:50am: Cameron Young and Matt Fitzpatrick
3:15am: Scott Stallings and Justin Thomas
3:25am: Sunjae Im and Jon Rahm
3:35am: Tony Finau and Sepp Straka
3:45am: Cameron Smith (AUS) and Rory McIlroy
3:55am: Xander Schauffele and Sam Burns
4:05am: Scottie Scheffler and Patrick Cantlay
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