East Lake Awaits: Your Guide to Watching Tour Championship Round 2
There's something about East Lake in late August that makes you believe anything can happen. The Georgia heat hangs heavy over Atlanta's oldest golf course, and the best players in the world are chasing ten million dollars and a place in history. After Thursday's opening round, the 2026 Tour Championship has already delivered drama—and we're just getting started.
Min Woo Lee Sets the Pace
The 28-year-old Australian announced himself with authority on Day 1, firing an eight-under 62 to take a two-shot lead into Friday's second round. It's the kind of number that makes you sit up and pay attention. Lee captured his first PGA Tour victory last season, and now he's showing everyone at East Lake that he belongs among the game's elite.
But this is the Tour Championship, where the world's top 30 players have gathered, and two shots can evaporate faster than morning dew on East Lake's bent grass greens.
The Chase Is On
Right behind Lee lurks a pair of proven champions. Collin Morikawa, the two-time major winner whose ball-striking has been surgical all season, sits tied at six under. Alongside him is Viktor Hovland, the 2023 FedEx Cup champion who knows exactly what it takes to lift that trophy when Sunday's shadows grow long.
Scottie Scheffler, who locked up the top spot in the season-long FedEx Cup standings just last week, shot a five-under 65 and trails by three. If there's anyone capable of running down this field over 54 holes, it's Scheffler—a man who has made winning look almost routine.
And then there's Rory McIlroy, the four-time major champion who opened with a 68. He'll begin Friday six shots behind, but we've all seen what Rory can do when the putter gets hot and East Lake's closing stretch comes into view.
How to Watch Round 2 on Friday
For those of us who can't be walking those famous fairways ourselves, here's how to experience the second round from wherever you are:
Television Coverage
- ESPN: 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. ET
- Golf Channel: 1:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. ET
Streaming Options
- PGA Tour Live on ESPN+: Exclusive early coverage begins at 11:00 a.m. ET, featuring live action, featured groups, and featured hole coverage
- ESPN+ "Marquee Group: Quiet Please": A unique stream with no announcers—just the sounds of the course
- Golfchannel.com and Golf Channel App: Simulcast of Golf Channel's TV coverage
The ESPN+ subscription ($11.99/month) opens up the full PGA Tour Live experience, which is invaluable for catching early-morning action and following specific groups throughout the round.
What to Watch For
East Lake has undergone significant renovations in recent years, and the course now plays as a demanding test that rewards precision over power. Watch how players navigate the back nine, particularly the treacherous stretch from 15 through 18, where water lurks and major moves are made.
Keep an eye on Lee's composure. Leading a field this accomplished takes mental fortitude that only experience can provide. Will the pressure of his first Tour Championship contention affect his decision-making? Or will we witness a star cementing his arrival?
The Takeaway
Friday's second round promises to reshape the leaderboard and set up a weekend that could crown a first-time FedEx Cup champion in Min Woo Lee—or see one of golf's established powers make their move. East Lake always delivers theater. Turn on your television, fire up your stream, and don't miss a moment.