The 2026 PGA Tour season is rapidly approaching its climax, with the FedEx Cup Playoffs finale, the Tour Championship, well underway at the historic East Lake Golf Club in Atlanta. As the drama intensifies, all eyes are now fixed on Round 2, scheduled for Friday, where the remaining 29 elite players will battle for supremacy and the coveted FedEx Cup title. The field was trimmed from its original size after J.J. Spaun was forced to withdraw due to a shoulder injury, leaving an odd number of competitors to navigate the challenging course.
Min Woo Lee, after a sensational bogey-free 62 in Round 1, holds the lead at 8 under par. His impressive performance, featuring four birdies on both the front and back nines, has positioned him as the man to catch. However, a formidable group of challengers is hot on his heels, with Viktor Hovland, Collin Morikawa, and Chris Gotterup all sitting just two shots back at 6 under. World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler, who already secured a substantial $23 million for earning the top spot in the season-long points race, birdied his final two holes on Thursday to finish 5 under, placing him in prime position to contend for another Tour Championship title at East Lake. The winner on Sunday will take home a significant $10 million from the $40 million total purse, a testament to the high stakes involved in this season-ending event.
Round 2: The Stage is Set at East Lake
With only 54 holes remaining in the 2026 PGA Tour season, the intensity at East Lake Golf Club is palpable. The unique format, which saw the elimination of staggered starting strokes, has ensured that every shot counts from the very beginning, as demonstrated by Tommy Fleetwood’s victory in 2025. The leaderboard is crowded, as expected, promising a thrilling second round. Cameron Young, occupying last place, will set the pace for the day, teeing off alone at 11 a.m. ET, serving as the tournament’s pace car. His solitary walk down the fairways will mark the beginning of another day of high-stakes golf. The weather conditions are expected to be favorable, allowing for aggressive play and potentially more low scores as players aim to climb the standings.
Key Pairings and 2026 Tour Championship Tee Times
The 2026 Tour Championship tee times and pairings for Round 2 promise several captivating matchups. Following Young’s solo start, Kristoffer Reitan and Russell Henley will tee off at 11:12 a.m. ET. A compelling pairing features Hideki Matsuyama and Si Woo Kim at 11:24 a.m. ET; these two cornerstones of the International Presidents Cup team will be looking to make a significant move up the leaderboard. Rory McIlroy, paired with Jacob Bridgeman, will begin his round at 11:36 a.m. ET, followed by Alex Fitzpatrick and Patrick Cantlay at 11:48 a.m. ET.
As the afternoon progresses, more star power will be on display. Wyndham Clark and Justin Rose are scheduled for 12:06 p.m. ET, while Alex Smalley and Xander Schauffele will follow at 12:18 p.m. ET. Tom Kim and Robert MacIntyre are paired for a 12:30 p.m. ET start, with Sam Burns and Matt Fitzpatrick teeing off at 12:42 p.m. ET. Gary Woodland and Tommy Fleetwood will begin their rounds at 12:54 p.m. ET. Champion Golfer of the Year Ryan Fox, who fired a 66 in Round 1, draws Adam Scott at 1:12 p.m. ET, a pairing that should provide another comfortable yet competitive dynamic. Immediately after them, world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler and the sweet-swinging Swede Ludvig Åberg, who both shot matching 65s on Thursday, will tee off. The final pairing of the day, and arguably the most anticipated, will see first-round leader Min Woo Lee alongside 2023 FedEx Cup champion Viktor Hovland at 2 p.m. ET, as Hovland poses as one of Lee’s closest pursuers. For a comprehensive look at all the day’s matchups, the complete schedule for Round 2 is available.
How to Watch the FedEx Cup Drama Unfold
Fans eager to follow every shot of the 2026 Tour Championship can expect expanded television coverage for this season finale. Round 2 play begins at 11 a.m. ET, with PGA Tour Live offering coverage from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET. Early television coverage will be provided by ESPN from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. ET, ensuring that golf enthusiasts can catch the initial action. Live television coverage then shifts to Golf Channel, broadcasting from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. ET. For those who prefer to stream the event, live streaming will be available concurrently on GolfChannel.com from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. ET. Additionally, radio coverage will be offered by PGA Tour Radio from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. ET, providing another avenue for fans to stay updated on the unfolding drama. Keep it locked for live scores, statistics, analysis, and highlights throughout Round 2 on Friday. For a detailed breakdown of where to watch the action, consult the full TV schedule.
As the battle for the FedEx Cup intensifies, Round 2 at East Lake Golf Club promises to be a pivotal day. With Min Woo Lee leading a packed leaderboard and several high-profile pairings set to take the course, the stage is perfectly set for another thrilling chapter in the 2026 Tour Championship.
