⛳️ $100 million up for grabs at the Tour Championship

PLUS: Nelly stops at the pub, Scottie Scheffler is one of us, and more..

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Happy Valley Golf Team
August 28, 2024

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Good morning. This is your Happy Valley Golf Team weekly newsletter. Let’s get it!

Here’s what we’ve got for you today:

  • Tips from a swing coach

  • Tour Championship is finally here

  • Scottie giving up strokes on home course

  • Hatton back in a DP Tour

Unsolicited Golf Tips

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From the Old Course to Carnoustie, we can transform your bucket list into reality. Join The Experience Golf and discover your dream golf getaway.

2024 Tour Championship Preview: The PGA Tour's Grand Finale

The stage is set for an epic conclusion to the 2024 PGA Tour season as the top 30 golfers in the FedEx Cup standings head to East Lake Golf Club in Atlanta for the Tour Championship. With a staggering $100 million prize pool and $25 million going to the winner, the stakes couldn't be higher for this star-studded field.

The Format

The Tour Championship employs a unique "starting strokes" format that rewards players for their season-long performance:

  • Scottie Scheffler starts at -10

  • Xander Schauffele at -8

  • Hideki Matsuyama at -7

  • Keegan Bradley at -6

  • Ludvig Åberg at -5

The rest of the field starts between -4 and even par, creating an intriguing handicap system that adds drama to every shot.

The Contenders

Scottie Scheffler: The Man to Beat

World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler enters as the clear favorite, starting with a two-shot lead. His 2024 season has been nothing short of phenomenal:

  • 6 PGA Tour wins, including The Masters and The Players Championship

  • Olympic gold medal

  • 15 top-10 finishes in 17 starts

  • Over $29 million in season earnings

Can Scheffler cap off his historic year with the FedEx Cup, or will the pressure of being the frontrunner prove too much?

Xander Schauffele: The Major Champion

Hot on Scheffler's heels is Xander Schauffele, starting at -8. Schauffele's 2024 has been equally impressive:

  • 2 major victories (PGA Championship and The Open)

  • 13 top-10 finishes

  • $17.6 million in earnings

Schauffele has a stellar record at East Lake, boasting the best strokes gained per round (3.55) of any player in the field with a minimum of eight rounds played.

The Chasers

Keep an eye on these players looking to make a charge from further back:

  • Rory McIlroy (-4): A three-time FedEx Cup champion, McIlroy has a knack for East Lake and famously overcame a six-shot deficit to win in 2022.

  • Viktor Hovland (-2): The defending FedEx Cup champion starts eight shots back but has proven he can handle the pressure of this event.

  • Ludvig Åberg (-5): The rookie sensation has taken the Tour by storm and finds himself in prime position for a Cinderella finish.

The Course: East Lake Golf Club

East Lake, the home course of the legendary Bobby Jones, has undergone significant renovations for the 2024 edition:

  • Par 71, 7,490 yards

  • New greens featuring TifEagle Bermudagrass

  • Reshaped and repositioned bunkers

  • Expanded fairways to create more strategic options

These changes promise to add an extra layer of intrigue to an already compelling tournament.

Weather

It’s looking like it will be a scorcher in Atlanta this week. With little to no wind or rain in the forecast it is going to be hot and dry. It’s going to be interesting to see how quickly the greens will bake out.

Storylines to Watch

  1. Player of the Year Race: A win for Schauffele could tighten the POY race with Scheffler, adding even more drama to the proceedings.

  2. Rory's Redemption: After a disappointing major season, can McIlroy salvage his year with a record-breaking fourth FedEx Cup title?

  3. Rookie Revolution: Ludvig Åberg aims to cap off his remarkable debut season with the ultimate prize in professional golf.

  4. East Lake's Makeover: How will players adapt to the renovated course, and who will best navigate the new challenges?

The Bottom Line

With $25 million on the line and the chance to be crowned FedEx Cup champion, the 2024 Tour Championship promises to be a thrilling conclusion to an unforgettable PGA Tour season. Will Scheffler complete his dominant year, or will we see a dramatic comeback for the ages? One thing's for sure – golf fans are in for a treat this weekend at East Lake.

News You Need to Know

PGA Tour Creator Classic Line-Up, Format And How To Watch

Max Homa returns to social media to roast fan over slow-play call-out

Scottie is one of us 😂: Scheffler shares the 'tough' amount of shots he now has to give his friends on the golf course

Straight to the pub: Nelly Korda made a surprise St. Andrews visit after her Old Course heartbreak

LIV golfer Tyrrell Hatton is playing in this week’s DP World Tour event at The Belfry, thanks to this rules loophole

Meme of the Week

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Thanks for reading!

Enjoy the rest of your week,

Cody.