The overhaul of East Lake Golf Club has presented quite a challenge according to several competitors gearing up for this week's Tour Championship. None more so than the monster new par-5 18th hole, which world #1 Scottie Scheffler was described as an absolute beast during his pre-tournament media session.
Scheffler admitted the imposing 18th had him contemplating taking an alternate approach down the adjacent 10th fairway for an easier birdie opportunity. However, the Tour has now ruled out that strategy after installing new internal out of bounds areas in response to Scheffler's comments. As the top seed aiming for FedEx Cup glory, this development undoubtedly compounds the difficulty facing the formidable Texan and his fellow title contenders on the weekend.
In a move sure to impact strategies around East Lake, the PGA Tour Rules Committee unveiled Playing Regulations Revisions on Wednesday morning. New internal out of bounds lines will now divide the 10th and 7th fairways for those tackling the monstrous par-5 18th or short par-4 6th respectively.
This decision came after initial deliberation earlier in the week opted against such penalties, deeming them too severe. But with multiple touring pros openly discussing bypassing signature holes, officials felt obliged to close such loopholes before the season's final event. According to esteemed referee Gary Young, safety worries of putting spectators in harm's way compelled the turnaround.
Scottie Scheffler did not mince words in his appraisal of East Lake's reconstructed par-5 finishing hole. According to the Olympic champion, subtle reshaping of the 18th fairway and surrounds have eliminated the flexibility players once had to angle safer approaches.
Scheffler detailed how the steeply contoured fairway now harshly punishes anything right, forcing lengthy chips back towards the putting surface just to have a reasonable chance at up-and-down. While possible to carry the lateral water hazard off the tee, finding the narrow landing zone leaves little margin to miss challenging an elevated, deep green from the rough or scrub.
Given these scarce options, the American wondered if bypassing such risk by aiming left down the alternate 10th route may in fact offer the best odds at one final birdie. However, with eagles now even more elusive from the penal 18th complex, all could be left playing simply to save par or minimize damage on this fearsome new finishing test.
Scottie Scheffler (Image via Imagn).
While establishing internal boundaries mid-tournament represents an infrequent policy shift for the PGA Tour, this week's action at East Lake bears strong resemblance to a 2021 incident. Back then, long-hitter Bryson DeChambeau stunned golf fans by aerial assaulting a lake on Bay Hill's par-5 6th.
In a subsequent interview, DeChambeau pondered copying such heroics by sailing over wetlands separating TPC Sawgrass' 9th green from the 18th tee. Within days, the Tour had zoned said fairway out-of-bounds for the Players' final round. Now, similarly after Scheffler voiced potential plans to skip the reinforced 18th at East Lake, officials moved to close an unintended bypass route between holes.
The PGA Tour has now publicly acknowledged its decision to install internal out of bounds areas between holes 6-7 and 10-18 at East Lake. In a statement, officials emphasized safety served as the priority in establishing these restrictions for the Tour Championship.
Chief Referee Gary Young echoed concerns that bypassing holes could endanger spectators and others on site, saying "This decision was made primarily out of safety concerns, specifically to prevent players from effectively putting people in harm's way by taking an alternate route. When it sounds like that is going to be a possibility, it necessitates an internal boundary.” With big names hinting at tactically navigating holes, the Tour clearly felt compelled to take action before potential risks arose.
As an expert in broadcasting golf events, I can appreciate the Tour's need to take everyone's well-being into account while letting strategy unfold naturally. These two prime landing zones now offer zero margin for error, but competitors still have ample avenues to showcase their skills. With the stakes and stakes never higher at East Lake, expect nothing less than scintillating shots and an undisputed champion crowned this Sunday.
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