Sports

East Lake Golf Club to reverse course for PGA Tour

ATLANTA — One of the most iconic courses on the PGA Tour is going back to the way Bobby Jones used to play it.

The front and back nine at East Lake Golf Club will be reversed for the TOUR Championship by Coca-Cola on September 21-25.

In a statement to WSB-TV Channel 2 provided by the PGA Tour, 2015 TOUR Championship by Coca-Cola winner and FedEx Cup champion Jordan Spieth said, “I think it’s really, really cool. Nine (now 18) makes for a fantastic finishing hole. From 5 being a monster hole, having to go to 6 and playing those as No. 14 and 15 and play those two holes really when the pressure is on, that will make you step up and have to commit to some shots. I think it’s very interesting. I think it would make for a finish where you see a birdie or eagle more than pars like it has been in the past.”

The prior finishing hole for the tournament was a Par 3 that played in excess of 235 yards. Now, the event will finish on a Par 5 hole that will reward those who go for the green in two.

“I think it’s going to be exciting,” said 2014 FedEx Cup and TOUR Championship winner Billy Horschel. “The fans are going to love it and hopefully get some more excitement at the end.”

Since the tournament’s first year at the East Lake Golf Club in 1998, the final three holes accounted for 575 birdies and one eagle. With the nines now reversed, the closing holes are guaranteed to be more dramatic. During that same time, 7, 8 and 9 (now 16, 17 and 18) accounted for 1,402 birdies and 18 eagles.

“The routing will provide new dramatic challenges and opportunities for the players as they come down the stretch with water looming on the 15th hole and a risk/reward par 5 as the final hole. It will give fans multiple viewpoints and a better spectator experience from 15th green all the way through 16, 17 and 18,” said TOUR Championship by Coca-Cola Executive Director Tom Clark. “The entire PGA TOUR Season will now have a more dramatic conclusion."

Comments in this story provided to Channel 2 Action News by the PGA Tour