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Best Bets for PGA Tour Championship at East Lake

Originally posted on EasySportz | By Jackson Fryburger | Last updated Aug 21, 2025 2:53 AM ET

ATLANTA — Scottie Scheffler storms into the PGA Tour Championship as the prohibitive favorite to claim the FedEx Cup, armed with a season of consistency and +150 odds on DraftKings.

The world’s top-ranked golfer begins Thursday paired with Masters champion Rory McIlroy in the top position. However, a recent change to the tournament layout has all 30 golfers starting on equal ground this year. While season-long consistency is rewarded with lof ty payouts for making the final stage of the FedEx Cup Playoffs, there is more drama in the 30-player finale at East Lake Golf Club.

Scheffler, fresh off his BMW Championship victory where he erased a four-stroke deficit with a final-round surge, boasts an unmatched resume this season: five wins, 15 top-10 finishes, and leadership in strokes gained total (2.056 average over his last five starts). He leads the tour in scoring average (68.11) and dominates strokes gained categories like tee-to-green and off-the-tee.

Yet, skeptics note Scheffler has yet to conquer East Lake purely on strokes earned; his 2024 triumph relied on the starting advantage, as he posted a strong but not unbeatable 22-under over 72 holes, trailing some rivals in raw scoring. History favors him, though, with second-place rankings in strokes gained tee-to-green at the venue over recent rounds.

Bettors eyeing value beyond Scheffler’s dominance turn to longer shots like Ben Griffin (+3000), Russell Henley (+2500) and JJ Spaun (+2500). Griffin, a breakout star, notched two victories this season and nine top-10s, ranking sixth in FedEx Cup points. His precision shines: second in the Charles Schwab Challenge with 12.69 strokes gained and consistent cuts made (18 of 22 events). Henley, a Georgia native, thrives at East Lake, cashing third in 2017 and fourth last year with a final-round 62, edging Scheffler in total strokes gained over their past 24 rounds here. He ranks fourth in gross scoring at the course recently and enters with momentum from a 13th-place finish. Spaun, meanwhile, exploded with a win, six top-10s and third in FedEx points (3,493), highlighted by a runner-up at The Players Championship and 8.07 strokes gained at the St. Jude Championship.

Excitement builds around Thursday’s marquee pairing: Scheffler tees off with Rory McIlroy (+850), the second seed. McIlroy, a three-time FedEx Cup winner, seeks redemption after a mixed season but boasts eight top-10s and familiarity with East Lake’s demands. Adding intrigue, Justin Rose appeals in big events, rising under pressure as seen in his playoff victory over Spaun at the St. Jude Championship (closing 3-under 67) and a proud Masters showing where he played “some of the finest golf” of his career.

Rose, with 12 PGA Tour wins and fourth in total dr iving, ranks high in pressure-packed stats like par-4 performance. This week’s favorite bets: Griffin as first-round leader (+2700)—leveraging his third-place Round 1 scoring average—and Spaun outright (+2500), capitalizing on his hot form and value against the field.

With $40 million in total prize money on the line, East Lake promises high-stakes action, but upsets loom if Scheffler’s putter cools (he gained 3.5 strokes last week but varies at the venue). The new format levels the playing field somewhat, yet Scheffler’s tee-to-green mastery positions him to repeat—if challengers like Griffin, Henley and Spaun don’t steal the show.

All roads lead to East Lake. #FedExCup pic.twitter.com/eSYpV42sj0
— Golf Channel (@GolfChannel) August 20, 2025

Breaking Down The Field

For a chalk pick, Scottie is your guys in DFS, office pools and hammering an outright winner. Sure, the odds are short and the DFS $ high, but it’s Scottie Scheffler, man. This is Shane van Gisbergen on a road course. Better yet, this is Carlos Alcarez on a tennis court or even Joe Burrow with Justin Jefferson and Ja’Ma rr Chase to throw to under a Joe Brady offensive scheme.

Scottie is the clear favorite for all things betting and DFS related and for good reason.

But…. (Sighs deeply while staring at keyboard in the East Lake media center) *close your eyes and just imagine, a kickass season finale tournament where 5-6 guys have a chance to win come Sunday*

Yes, it could really happen. Like actually, to channel my inner RushTok ValleyGirl. It is literally crazy!

Anyways, back to the course. That’s what you’re here for, right?

EasySportz loves Griffin for FRL on Thursday and a Spaun longshot ticket to win the tournament outright. Don’t overthink it, it just make s sense if you really want to invest in this tournament.

Will it happen? Well, that’s for you to decide, but we certainly like the value presented. The PGA has turned its final event of the 2025 season into a NASCAR-like competition of entertainment, rewarding a strong weekend over a strong season. Now I must add that golf has a billion other signature events and majors to afford one weekend of pure chaos and entertainment. Unlike, cough cough… you know, that stock car racing series that throws a stage caution for a paperclip blown onto the track…

Sure, these are the best 30 players on the tour right now, but with everyone starting on equal footing, anything can happen under a blistering Georgia sun this weekend.

Before Farmeggedon kicks off the college football season on Saturday at 12 p.m. there’s plenty of intrigue to East Lake. What better way to send the summer season out with a bang than this?

Hold on Texas and Ohio State, Cowboys vs. Eagles and North Dakota State lurking at a Power 5 venue. We still have a champion to crown down in Georgia… ATL H*E, as the kiddos like to say.

Can you hear that? Off in the distant hills of East Atlanta (Guuuuuuciiiiii) the intensity builds.

It may not be the picturesque greens of Augusta, as Riley Green sings. It may not be the U.S. Open Championship at Oakmont. But… This is going to be fun as hell.

DRAMA and a whole lot of it! Or whatever it is Flo said in the first Cars movie when the press swooped in to find Lightning McQueen and send him off to California.

If you’re a fan of chaos in sports, this is the tournament for you! Everyone in the 30-man field e arned their spot at East Lake with a stellar 2025 season.

Now, the real fun begins. Can anyone dethrone Scottie Scheffler, the apparent heir to Tiger Woods’ stature amongst golf’s greatest?

We’re about to find out! Play a couple non-Scottie wagers this week, it’ll keep you glued to the TV at least through Saturday. That is if Scottie doesn’t lap the field like Kyle Larson in a Bristol Xfinity Series Race.

Take a couple fliers, but sprinkle carefully!

If you decide to wager on this tournament, there is upset value with these two golfers (Griffin and Spaun). Of course, wager at your own risk, as we are not a financial advisor and are only providing predictive analysis.

Our analysis of player value is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice, as we are not financial advisors, and gambling involves inherent risks. If you or someone you know struggles with gambling, contact the National Problem Gambling Helpline at 1-800-522-4700 for support.

Let’s close this year out with a bang. It’s the PGA Tour Championship at East Lake and EasySportz has you covered with boots on the ground all weekend long. Yes, we even brought sunscreen and bug spray this time!

So, without further ado, may the best golfers rise to the occasion and put on a show for us at the newly renovated Atlanta course!

It’s the PGA Tour Championship in the Heart of Dixie.

Peace Up, A-Town! Scottie Scheffler and 29 other golfers are looking for that $10M crown…

This article first appeared on EasySportz and was syndicated with permission.

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