PGA Tour tees up fantastic finish

Ben Jared, PGA Tour via Getty Images

ATLANTA, GEORGIA | The Tour Championship is somewhat contrived, quasi-controversial, increasingly relevant on career résumés, a needed conclusion to a season that otherwise could go on and on, at the top of many player goal lists each January, and it’s not leaving Atlanta and East Lake any time soon.

All of which leads into the final big-bang event of the year (aside from the Ryder Cup, which exists in a universe of its own), where an $18 million prize, perhaps the player-of-the-year award and possibly a Ryder Cup spot are among the things at stake over four days at sun-baked East Lake Golf Club.

Say what you will about the Tour Championship’s staggered scoring start – and everyone from Jon Rahm to Rory McIlroy to pretty much anyone who cares about such things has – but Scottie Scheffler’s season-long body of work has earned him a two-stroke lead over Viktor Hovland when play begins Thursday.

As if to demonstrate ...