The final stretch of the 2025 PGA Tour season brings intense competition, shifting momentum, and growing anticipation. With regular season play concluded, attention now shifts to the playoffs and high-profile global events. Fans are watching closely as the top names battle for the FedExCup title and prepare for the Ryder Cup.
Some players are surging, others are regaining form, and new names are emerging. Each event offers a stage for drama, rewards, and history. As the stakes grow, so does the spotlight on those most likely to shape the outcome of this thrilling season finale.
Tour Championship Will Crown the FedExCup Winner
The Tour Championship marks the final event of the 2025 FedExCup Playoffs. Held at East Lake Golf Club in Atlanta from August 21 to 24, this event features the top 30 players in the standings. For 2025, all 30 players start at even par, marking the first time the Tour Championship uses a level playing field instead of Starting Strokes.
All eyes are on Scottie Scheffler, who leads the season in wins and earnings. With four victories, including the PGA Championship and The Open, he enters East Lake as the likely No. 1 seed. That position comes with a two-stroke lead over the No. 2 player and a five-stroke lead over those ranked sixth or worse. Scheffler’s consistency makes him a favorite to secure the FedExCup title.
Rory McIlroy, who won the 2025 Masters to complete the career Grand Slam, remains in contention. Though he skipped the St. Jude Championship, a recent PGA Tour policy change allows players to miss one playoff event without losing their seed. This gives McIlroy a strong chance to challenge at East Lake.
With elite names in top form, the Tour Championship has become one of the most closely tracked events for fans, analysts, and sportsbooks. For those following every stroke and especially for those betting on the PGA odds, the staggered start format adds another layer of unpredictability and excitement.
BMW Championship Shapes the Leaderboard
Before the Tour Championship, the BMW Championship takes place from August 14 to 17 at Caves Valley Golf Club in Maryland. This event features the top 50 in the FedExCup standings and will set the final order heading into East Lake.
The field is stacked with elite talent, including Justin Thomas, who climbed the standings with strong showings at the Charles Schwab and Travelers. Ben Griffin enters this event with momentum after two Tour victories earlier this season. His assertive push into the top 20 has made him a serious Ryder Cup contender.
Cameron Young, fresh off his first PGA Tour win at the Wyndham Championship, arrives with confidence. That win not only lifted him into the Playoffs but also sparked renewed attention from Team USA selectors. His performance at the BMW will influence both his FedExCup finish and Ryder Cup fate.
For fans tracking the latest PGA news, this championship often reveals shifting playoff paths, rising contenders, and unexpected moves that impact East Lake seeding and Ryder Cup selections.
Ryder Cup Preparation Adds Pressure
The biennial competition between Team USA and Team Europe begins on September 26 at Bethpage Black in New York.
Team USA: Final Spots Still in Play
FedExCup standings and major performances weigh heavily in team selection. For the United States, several players appear highly likely to secure spots, including Scheffler, Thomas, and Morikawa. Players like Griffin, Young, and Russell Henley are fighting for remaining slots. Each will use the BMW and Tour Championships to make a final impression.
Europe’s Emerging Stars and Lock-ins
Europe’s roster is also coming together. Rory McIlroy, Jon Rahm, and Viktor Hovland are clear leaders. Ludvig Åberg’s emergence adds depth, while Tommy Fleetwood and Shane Lowry remain reliable picks. The team’s final structure will depend on form over the next few weeks.
Fall Series Extends Competitive Play
Following the FedExCup Playoffs, the PGA Tour continues with a smaller but meaningful Fall Series. This group of events begins with the Procore Championship in Napa from September 11 to 14. While not part of the FedExCup, these tournaments offer exemptions, earnings, and valuable Official World Golf Ranking points.
Veterans often use the Fall Series to regain form or extend their seasons. Younger players see it as a launchpad into full status for the following year. For fans, it’s a chance to track developing storylines and discover new names before the 2026 season begins.
The field for the Procore Championship is expected to include Chris Gotterup, who surged into national attention after defeating McIlroy at the 2025 Genesis Scottish Open. His fearless approach and confident ball-striking could lead to another big finish.
Events like the Sanderson Farms Championship and RSM Classic will round out the year. They offer chances for rising players to secure exemptions, status, or simply finish strong. In recent years, these events have delivered surprise winners who carried that momentum into the following spring.
Who Has the Momentum to Close Strong
With just a few marquee tournaments left, the players with momentum carry the edge.
- Scottie Scheffler: He remains the most consistent and dominant player heading into East Lake,
- Rory McIlroy: After winning the Masters, he’s in position to capture a fourth FedExCup title,
- Ludvig Åberg: His breakout season continues with a strong playoff push and Ryder Cup momentum,
- Ben Griffin: His two wins and steady rise make him a serious contender on both fronts,
- Cameron Young: His first win at Wyndham unlocks confidence at the perfect time,
- Xander Schauffele and Collin Morikawa: Both are proven closers with playoff experience and precision games.
All Eyes Are on East Lake and Bethpage
With only a handful of tournaments remaining, the storylines are becoming clearer. Each event will help define who finishes on top, who joins Team USA and Team Europe, and who carries confidence into 2026.
Whether it’s Scheffler chasing his first FedExCup win, McIlroy aiming to extend his legacy, or rising stars like Åberg and Griffin reshaping the future, the remaining 2025 PGA Tour events promise high drama, elite competition, and memorable finishes.