Anticipating late-afternoon thunderstorms, officials moved up second-round tee times for the 2025 Tour Championship at East Lake, compressing a quick turnaround for the 30-player field. Friday’s revised pairings include marquee matchups featuring scottie Scheffler and Rory McIlroy, with adjusted broadcast windows and tee sheets released to accommodate the whether threat.
LIV golfers offered new qualification route to The Open as organizers agree criteria allowing players from the circuit to compete, pending performance benchmarks and eligibility review ahead of the championship
Organisers have agreed a conditional pathway allowing players from the LIV circuit to earn starts at next month’s championship, subject to clear performance standards and a pre-event eligibility review. The move marks a pragmatic step toward integrating multiple professional streams into the major’s entry picture.
Key performance benchmarks outlined by organisers include:
- Minimum season points threshold on the LIV standings
- At least one top-10 finish in a designated series event
- Minimum participation rate across the season to demonstrate competitive continuity
Officials say a short eligibility timetable will allow final decisions well before the tournament field is published.
| Benchmark | Requirement | Decision Window |
|---|---|---|
| Points threshold | Season top tier | 2 weeks pre-event |
| Top finishes | Designated events | 3 weeks pre-event |
| Participation | Minimum appearances | 1 month pre-event |
The eligibility review will be managed by an autonomous panel appointed by championship organisers, who will verify results, playing commitments and adherence to entry rules. Conditional places may be converted to full starts only after the verification process confirms benchmarks have been met.
Reaction across the game was mixed but measured: organisers described the route as a “performance-based solution,” while some players welcomed the clarity it provides ahead of the field announcement. The final entry list,organisers said,will reflect results and the panel’s findings once the review is complete.
Tour Championship Friday strategic tee times split marquee leaders with weather forecasts in mind
Tournament officials apportioned leaders into morning and afternoon waves to exploit the most favorable scoring windows, a move designed to limit exposure to a forecast that calls for building winds and scattered storms later in the day. Competitive fairness and weather timing drove the change.
Top seeds were deliberately separated so marquee names don’t all face the same conditions; Scottie Scheffler and Rory McIlroy, such as, are placed in different waves to spread risk and preserve equitable scoring opportunities across the field.
Forecast models point to light, calm conditions through mid-morning, with a notable uptick in wind speed and thunderstorm probability after 3 p.m. That swing has direct implications for scoring, as early tee times shoudl yield softer greens and calmer approach shots, while afternoon groups may contend with crosswinds and firmer lies.
Players and caddies adjusted strategy accordingly: conservative tee shots into wind, altered club selection, and more conservative lines on reachable par-5s.Officials also signaled potential pin-position moderation to reduce risk in the afternoon window and keep scoring opportunities balanced.
| Morning wave | Afternoon wave |
|---|---|
| S. Scheffler · A. Player | R. McIlroy · B.contender |
| C. Leader · D. Chall. | E. Contender · F. Rookie |
- Fan tip: Arrive early for calmer viewing and better photos.
- Broadcast note: Expect shifting coverage windows if storms develop.
- Player note: Morning scoring likely to set the benchmarks for the day.
Key pairings to watch as FedEx Cup contenders vie for momentum and course-adapted shot plans
Russell Henley and world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler headline Friday’s final pairing after matching low rounds Thursday, setting up a direct confrontation for momentum as the leaderboard tightens at East Lake.
The mid-day groups will be equally pivotal: contenders who can flip conservative first-day strategies into aggressive attack lines on par‑5s and short par‑4s will pressure the leaders. watch how route selection off the tee dictates scoring windows.
- Final group: Henley / Scheffler – shotmaking vs. steadiness
- Chase pack: McIlroy and top-20 FedEx Cup hopefuls – scrambling and birdie runs
- Early starters: Players looking to post low scores into the heat of the afternoon leaderboard
Greens are firm and lines are narrow; players that recalibrate yardages and prioritize downhill putts will gain strokes. expect caddies to move flag positions into play and for shot plans to favor play-within-your-hands approaches on par‑3s.
| Spotlight group | Why watch |
|---|---|
| Henley / Scheffler | Direct clash for lead; momentum on the line |
| McIlroy / Chase pack | Aggressive scoring needed to close gap |
| Early starters | Can set the target and force afternoon risk-taking |
Recommended warmup routines and club selection notes for early and late tee groups
Players scheduled early should arrive 90 minutes before their tee time to allow for a full dynamic warmup, short-game work and a targeted yardage check. Recommended sequence:
- 10-15 minutes light jog and mobility
- 20-25 minutes full-swing range with progressive intensity
- 15-20 minutes wedges and bunkers
- 10-15 minutes on the practice putting green
Coaches note: log approach distances on humid/overnight-dew conditions-early groups often face softer lies and shorter roll.
Late tee groups must prioritize adaptability and efficiency as conditions heat up and winds shift. Focus on shorter, sharper sessions that simulate scoring shots:
- Shorter dynamic warmup (5-10 minutes) to conserve energy
- 15-20 minutes on the range emphasizing target-based carries
- Extra time with the long putter or lag putts if greens firm up
Reporters observed many late starters trimming range time to emphasize wind-based trajectory practice.
Club selection shifts markedly between early and late groups. Use the table below for quick reference:
| Situation | early tee – typical pick | Late tee – typical pick |
|---|---|---|
| Driver off tee | More fairway wood/3-wood to play conservative | Max driver for roll-out on firmer fairways |
| approaches into 150-170 yds | One club less due to softer landing | Club up for added carry and roll |
| Greenspeed | Softer-spin shots favored | Firmer-lower trajectory, less spin |
Wedge and putting notes: prioritize wedge gap consistency during morning sessions and dial in lower trajectories for afternoon tee times when greens are quicker. Spend at least 10-15 minutes on distance control for wedges and 12-18 feet lag putting during the final warmup. Caddies told journalists that a reliable 60° feel and two trusted lob options remain common differentiators.
Logistics and mental checklist for both groups: arrive early, confirm yardages with the caddie, monitor wind and pin positions and adjust club selection before stepping on the first tee. Quick checklist:
- Verify yardage book and yardage to bunkers
- Confirm preferred tee club
- Recon firm/fade lines on practice holes
Maintain a concise pre-shot routine – players who stuck to it were routinely quoted as calmer and more consistent.
impact of tee time order on scoring opportunities and pressure situations down the stretch
Tee time placement is emerging as a decisive variable
Players paired toward the back of the day saw **clearer television exposure but heightened scrutiny**, and that combination can magnify mistakes down the stretch. Tournament officials and caddies alike note the psychological swing when leaderboard moves into prime broadcast hours.
Course and contest factors tied to tee order include:
- Weather variability - afternoon thermals and wind shifts;
- Pin volatility – morning pins may be softer and more accessible;
- Crowd pressure – larger galleries amplify noise for late starters;
- scoreboard ripple – knowledge of others’ numbers changes risk calculus.
| Tee Time Block | Typical Impact |
|---|---|
| Early | Calmer conditions, lower scoring variance |
| Midday | transitional winds, mixed pin challenge |
| Late | Firmed greens, amplified pressure, TV spotlight |
Strategically, crews are emphasizing adaptable game plans and scoreboard awareness; **those who manage conditions and attention in late groups often convert narrow opportunities into decisive gains**, reshaping the leaderboard as the afternoon unfolds.
Broadcast windows and viewing tips for following pivotal pairings across television and streaming
Broadcasters reshuffled windows for Friday’s Round 2 after tee times were moved up to avoid late‑afternoon storms, with Golf Channel and NBC handling linear coverage and Peacock offering live streaming for viewers who want every pivotal grouping on demand.
Viewing tips:
- confirm tee times in your time zone – many groups start earlier than the standard schedule.
- Use Peacock to follow featured pairings live while the linear feed focuses on leaderboard drama.
- Enable push alerts from the official leaderboard app for real‑time swing and score updates.
- Record or DVR the NBC window if storms delay coverage in your market; Golf Channel’s morning feed often carries alternate groups.
| Outlet | Typical Window | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Golf Channel | Morning-Midday | Featured pairings, tee‑time tracking |
| Peacock | Continuous | Full‑group streaming, on‑demand replays |
| NBC | Afternoon-Evening | Top‑of‑leaderboard, prime‑time highlights |
To follow pivotal pairings, prioritize the live stream for complete camera access and switch to NBC when leaders converge late in the round. Broadcasters may flip between featured groups and the leaderboard; expect cross‑cutting coverage during critical stretches and prepare to jump between platforms.
For tight finishes, combine sources: stream the full pairing on Peacock, monitor the official leaderboard for shot‑by‑shot updates, and follow social clips for instant replays. Broadcasters’ adjusted windows – driven by weather and pacing - make flexibility the best strategy for viewers tracking Friday’s movers at East Lake.
Caddie-player chemistry spotlight ahead of Round 2: adjustments that could swing final standings
As the field prepares for Friday’s tee times, attention has shifted to the sideline operators whose whispers, yardage cards and instincts can tilt a leaderboard.Caddie-player synchrony is already prompting late-night yardage swaps and green-reading rehearsals that could determine margin-of-victory outcomes.
Several big-name pairings revised their approach after Thursday’s wind and firm greens,from altered tee targets to adjusted putting lines. Below is a snapshot of notable in-round tweaks being tracked by on-site observers:
| Player | Caddie | Key Adjustment |
|---|---|---|
| Contender A | Long-time caddie | Shorter tee, aggressive approach shots |
| Contender B | New-season hire | Conservative wedge placement |
| Contender C | Player-caddie duo | Shifted putting reads for slope |
Common adjustments to watch:
- Tee-shot direction changes to avoid crosswinds
- Club selection tweaks on approach to firm, fast greens
- Modified green-reading notes and putt pace cues
- Strategic risk-taking on reachable par-5s
Those small on-the-fly corrections can directly affect the final standings: a single aggressive call that yields a birdie can flip pairings and pressure rivals, while a conservative hold-back can preserve position under stormy conditions. Expect television mics and body language to reveal which partnerships are clicking – and which may cost shots when it matters most.
Q&A
Q: What is this story about?
A: This Q&A explains the tee times and pairings for Friday’s second round at the 2025 TOUR Championship at East Lake Golf Club, including schedule changes and notable groups.
Q: When is Round 2 scheduled to start?
A: Round 2 is scheduled for Friday at East Lake; the PGA tour released adjusted tee times to account for anticipated weather on friday.
Q: Why were tee times changed?
A: Tee times were moved up due to expected adverse weather Friday, prompting the Tour to advance pairings to help complete the round on schedule.
Q: Who leads the tournament heading into Friday?
A: After the first round, Russell Henley holds the 36-hole lead (he opened with a 9-under 61) and sits two shots clear of world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler.
Q: Who is in the featured final group for Round 2?
A: The final group features Russell Henley and Scottie Scheffler, who will play together in Friday’s marquee pairing.
Q: Which other top players should fans watch Friday?
A: The field includes other high-profile names such as Rory McIlroy and the top FedExCup qualifiers; full pairings list available from official TOUR Championship release.
Q: Where is the event being played?
A: The 2025 TOUR Championship is at East Lake Golf Club in Atlanta.
Q: How can viewers watch Round 2?
A: Broadcast and streaming details are provided by the PGA Tour and broadcasters; check official TOUR Championship coverage for start times and channels after the tee-time adjustments.
Q: Where can I find the full, updated pairings and exact tee times?
A: The PGA Tour’s official site and major golf outlets published the updated Round 2 tee times and pairings; consult those sources for the complete list.
Q: Will weather continue to affect the weekend schedule?
A: possible – officials will monitor conditions and may make further timing or format adjustments as needed to ensure play can be completed.
Officials moved Friday’s second-round tee times up at east Lake to beat late‑afternoon storms, prompting pairing and broadcast adjustments. Fans should check the PGA TOUR and network listings for updated tee times and coverage as players resume early Friday play and jockey for position heading into the weekend climax.
