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No Head Starts, No Easy Choices

No Head Starts, No Easy Choices

With starting strokes removed at the TOUR Championship for the first time in six years, golfers face a new challenge (and upside) at East Lake.

Marissa Kasch
August 21, 2025

Hey Team 👋

This week, we’re hitting pause on MLB power rankings to focus on the tail end of golf and the kickoff of football (bittersweet, I know). I think we all knew the Brewers, Phillies and Dodgers would top those rankings again anyway. Instead, here’s your guide to the TOUR Championship at East Lake – this year, on a level playing field. Plus, the Colts have finally made what seemed like an impossible decision, prioritizing experience and consistency over flashes of promise and potentially high ceilings.

Letter Rip!

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The TOUR Championship Preview⛳

Photo: Aaron O’Hara / Flickr

Your Guide to the PGA’s Final Event of the Year…This One’s for All the Marbles

Starting strokes are out for the first time since 2018 – but what does that mean for golfers? It’s a big change in format from the last six years, but it actually will help every golfer in the field…except Scottie Scheffler, of course. With five Tour wins this season alone, Scottie has proven he doesn’t need a head start. For the rest of the field, however, it’s a lifeline. Starting 10 strokes behind Scottie Scheffler would have been a death sentence. Now, at least they have a chance. Rory McIlroy, Ludvig Aberg and Tommy Fleetwood are among favorites to challenge the world No. 1 this weekend at East Lake. For Fleetwood especially, a FedEx Cup win would be sweet redemption after his stumble at the St. Jude.

East Lake

The shift to a winner-take-all format isn’t the only change this year: East Lake itself endured a major revamp in 2024, providing a new challenge for golfers. The rough is longer, the greens are faster, the landing areas are tighter and the stakes are much higher this weekend in Atlanta. East Lake will be among the toughest tests these golfers have faced this year. But it feels fitting, considering we’ve reached the grand finale. If anyone can handle the challenges East Lake has to offer, it’s this group of 30.

Odds

S. Scheffler (+150), R. McIlroy (+850), T. Fleetwood (+1400), R. Henley (+1800), L. Aberg (+1800), J. Thomas (+2500), P. Cantlay (+2500), J. Spaun (+2700), V. Hovland (+2700), S. Burns (+3000), C. Morikawa (+3000) | For a full list of odds, click here.

Tee Times (Round 1)

11:16 AM: C. Gotterup, A. Bhatia

11:27 AM: J. Bridgeman, S. Im

11:38 AM: N. Taylor, H. Hall

11:49 AM: H. Matsuyama, S. Lowry

12:00 PM: C. Morikawa, V. Hovland

12:16 PM: C. Conners, P. Cantlay

12:27 PM: S. Burns, B. Harman

12:38 PM: A. Novak, K. Bradley

12:49 PM: C. Young, L. Aberg

1:00 PM: H. English, J. Thomas

1:16 PM: R. MacIntyre, M. McNealy

1:27 PM: R. Henley, S. Straka

1:38 PM: T. Fleetwood, B. Griffin

1:49 PM: J. Spaun, J. Rose

2:00 PM: S. Scheffler, R. McIlroy

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Colts Roll the Dice on Jones🎲

Photo: All-Pro Reels / Flickr

Indy Turns to Experience Over Upside, Betting on the Veteran While Richardson Waits in the Wings

On Monday, the Browns resolved their quarterback dilemma, naming veteran Joe Flacco as their starter. And on Wednesday, the Colts followed suit, concluding their own QB battle. After training camp and preseason showings, Indianapolis has chosen to move forward with Daniel Jones over Anthony Richardson.

It’s a fascinating decision: Indianapolis signed Jones to a one-year, $14 million deal after he was released by the Giants, but the Colts also invested a fourth-overall pick in Richardson just a year earlier. The QB face-off commenced as soon as training camp started, and the competition was razor-thin the entire time.

Each time I read a report, it seemed like a toss-up. Jones had the NFL experience, but Richardson had the skill set. Jones has had a lackluster career despite his veteran status, but Richardson can’t stay healthy long enough to establish consistency. It was a tight battle, but Jones will officially start for the Colts Week 1 against the Dolphins.

But wait…I think I’ve seen this film before. Just last season, the Steelers handed their offense to Justin Fields after a similar camp competition, only to see results hover around “just okay.” The good news for the Colts? A QB battle means you always have another option waiting. It will be interesting to see if Jones’ lackluster career can be blamed solely on the Giants, or if this is simply who he is – and how long the Colts are willing to wait before turning to Richardson.

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