Key Takeaways
- The Lead: Viktor Hovland (-15) leads Ryan Gerard (-14) going into Sunday.
- The Gap: Gotterup, Scheffler, Scott, and Åberg sit at -12, with Rory McIlroy lurking at -10 after shooting 63 on Saturday.
- The Stakes: $10 million official money and a 5-year PGA Tour exemption are on the line, distinct from the $100M bonus pool paid out after the BMW Championship.
The PGA Tour season concludes on Sunday at East Lake Golf Club. The final pairing of Viktor Hovland and Ryan Gerard will tee off at 2:55 p.m. ET, with Hovland holding a one-shot advantage.
Before the leaders tee off, there is an 18-minute gap in the tee sheet following the 2:37 p.m. pairing, ensuring the final groups have clearance.
Round 4 Tee Times & Pairings
| Time (ET) | Pairing |
|---|---|
| 11:55 AM | Robert MacIntyre |
| 12:05 PM | Keegan Bradley, Tom Hoge |
| 12:15 PM | Christiaan Bezuidenhout, Brian Harman |
| 12:25 PM | Tony Finau, Russell Henley |
| 12:35 PM | Justin Thomas, Byeong Hun An |
| 12:45 PM | Corey Conners, Sungjae Im |
| 12:55 PM | Aaron Rai, Shane Lowry |
| 1:05 PM | Sepp Straka, Sahith Theegala |
| 1:15 PM | Matthieu Pavon, Hideki Matsuyama |
| 1:25 PM | Tommy Fleetwood, Taylor Pendrith |
| 1:35 PM | Sam Burns, Wyndham Clark |
| 1:45 PM | Collin Morikawa, Patrick Cantlay |
| 2:05 PM | Xander Schauffele, Billy Horschel |
| 2:16 PM | Rory McIlroy, Ludvig Åberg |
| 2:27 PM | Adam Scott, Scottie Scheffler |
| 2:37 PM | Chris Gotterup, Ryan Gerard |
| -- 18 Minute Gap -- | |
| 2:55 PM | Ryan Gerard, Viktor Hovland |
Leaderboard Reality
Hovland (-15) enters Sunday with a one-shot lead over Gerard (-14). Behind them is a logjam at -12 featuring Chris Gotterup, Scottie Scheffler, Adam Scott, and Ludvig Åberg. Rory McIlroy is five shots back at -10 after firing a third-round 63.
Broadcast & TV Schedule
Early network viewers will miss McIlroy's front nine. The broadcast schedule is as follows:
- PGA Tour Live: 11:00 AM ET
- Golf Channel: 12:00 PM - 1:30 PM ET
- CBS: 1:30 PM - 6:00 PM ET
What the Winner Gets
Sunday's winner will take home $10 million in official prize money and a five-year PGA Tour exemption. This is completely distinct from the $100M FedExCup bonus pool that was already paid out following the BMW Championship.
Rule 5.3a: Late Starting Time Penalty
As players manage Sunday nerves, Rule 5.3a remains strictly enforced. Arriving at the tee within five minutes after the starting time results in a two-stroke penalty, not disqualification. Garrick Higgo famously incurred this penalty at a previous event, proving even professionals can fall victim to the clock.
Fact-Checking 4 Final Round Myths
- Myth 1: McIlroy is counted out. False. At five shots back, he has the firepower to contend, especially if the leaders stumble early.
- Myth 2: The winner always comes from the final pairing. False. We've seen numerous backdoor winners at East Lake.
- Myth 3: Scottie Scheffler is guaranteed World No. 1. True, his points lead is mathematically insurmountable this week regardless of Sunday's outcome.
- Myth 4: Staggered starting strokes were eliminated. False. The staggered start was eliminated for this specific tournament format under the new rules.
The Raw Verdict
Hovland holds the advantage, but with Scheffler and McIlroy lurking, the final 18 holes at East Lake promise high drama. The 18-minute gap before the final pairing will only build the tension.
Sources: PGA Tour Official Site, East Lake Media Guide, Golf Channel Broadcast.
Related Coverage: Catch up on Hovland's tie for the lead, the Friday winners and losers, and Cameron Young's 62 with a new putter.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does Rory McIlroy tee off?
Rory McIlroy tees off at 2:27 p.m. ET alongside Ludvig Åberg.
What time is the final pairing?
Viktor Hovland and Ryan Gerard tee off at 2:55 p.m. ET.
Why is there an 18-minute gap in tee times?
The gap ensures the final groups have clearance and prevents backups on the closing holes.