Tour Championship picks 2026: It's a statement week for Wyndham Clark
It's never too late to get on a roll, which is exactly what the panel has done as the PGA Tour regular season finishes up. First, it was Steve Hennessey hitting on Michael Thorbjornsen at the Rocket Classic. And now, last week, Pat Mayo and Keith Stewart both cashed on Wyndham Clark. Why not one more this week at East Lake?
We like our chances with only 30 players in the field, though one of them is Scottie Scheffler. However, a case of hand, foot and mouth, plus a cold putter, saw him return to being human at the BMW. We'll see if that lasts in Atlanta.
The Golf Digest betting panel is comprised of Pat Mayo of Underdog/Mayo Media Network, Andy Lack of the Inside Sports Network, Ryan Noonan of Betsperts, your two authors and Keith Stewart, the CEO of Read The Line.
Scroll down for our complete betting analysis of the 2026 Tour Championship:
| Experts | Pick to Win | Dark Horse | Miscellaneous Prop of the Week | Pick to Finish Top-10 | Matchups |
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Tour Championship picks 2026: Our Experts’ Outright Predictions
Pat Mayo, Underdog/Fantasy National, Mayo Media Network analyst: Sam Burns (18-1, FanDuel) — Much like Fleetwood a year ago, this season would seem like a waste if Burns couldn’t get across the line just once. He’s been solid at East Lake each of the past three seasons, and while his result at Bellerive last week wasn’t exactly encouraging, he continued to stripe his irons. In fact, over the past three months, Burns is first in the field in SG/approach. This was always the biggest drawback in his game. As long as he persists in giving himself birdie chances, I have little doubt his short game won’t catch up.
Keith Stewart, PGA, Read The Line: Wyndham Clark (18-1, FanDuel) — In two starts at East Lake, Wyndham Clark has finished third and eighth. Multiple winners are a significant trend in the FedEx Cup playoffs. In 19 editions, there have been 12 guys who have won twice in one playoff year. To compound the trend, five of them finished their FedEx Cup championship run by winning the final two. That feat has happened twice in the last five years. Power and touch, Clark is your Player of the Year and will solidify that statement on Sunday in Atlanta.
Read The Line's Keith Stewart joins Pat Mayo's show to discuss how they're handicapping the 2026 Tour Championship:
Ryan Noonan, Content Manager 4for4/Betsperts: Collin Morikawa (20-1, FanDuel) — Last year, 34 percent of the approach shots came from 200-plus yards out, 10.5 percent above the tour average mark of 23.5 percent. Over the past six months, no one’s given themselves more scoring opportunities inside 15 feet from 200-plus yards out than Collin Morikawa, per Betsperts Golf. He finished fourth last week at Bellerive, another 7,400-plus-yard par-70, had the ball on a string off the tee, leading the field in distance from the edge of the fairway, and gained an average of 0.67 strokes per round off the tee.
Stephen Hennessey, Golf Digest managing editor: Sam Burns (18-1, FanDuel) — I’m with Mayo here, this season will have a fitting ending for Sam Burns, who was a bridesmaid too many times in 2026. He’s still the best approach player in the field over the past 30 rounds and the best Bermuda putter.
Christopher Powers, Golf Digest senior writer: Collin Morikawa (20-1, FanDuel) — Ryan already made a much better case than I possibly could. Collin is now on a two-month stretch of strong driver play and his usual elite approach. If the putter comes along like it did last week, I might just get a winner in right at the buzzer.
Andy Lack, Inside Sports Network: Scottie Scheffler (+345, DraftKings) — I think the health concerns with Scottie Scheffler right now are a tad overblown, and I don’t entirely understand why his betting number is higher in a 30-man field than what is has been at major championships this year. Scheffler already won a Tour Championship at the renovated East Lake, and this would be fitting close to his season.
Past results: We have our SEVENTH winner of 2026, with both Pat Mayo and Keith Stewart correctly predicting Wyndham Clark’s victory at the BMW Championship. That is each of their first wins in 2026, to go along with Ryan Noonan’s four winners and Steve Hennessey’s three. Let’s see if we can tack one more on at East Lake.
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Tour Championship picks 2026: Sleepers/Dark Horses Who Could Win
Mayo: Si Woo Kim (25-1, BetMGM) — Like Burns, Si Woo’s having the best year of his career yet somehow doesn’t have a victory. He’s somehow morphed from the Ricky Bobby of golf into one of tour’s most consistent players. After a brief resurgence with his putter, it has predictably gone cold again. Still, at a ball-striker’s layout, Kim possesses the best combo of accuracy and approach this side of Morikawa. Just pray he can find a putting stroke and get it done.
Stewart: Gary Woodland (48-1, DraftKings) — It might be viewed as a sentimental pick, but Gary Woodland has the skill set required to win at East Lake. Fresh off a fourth-place finish at the BMW, Woodland learned a thing or two about his condition in contention. With smaller crowds and a better course fit, don’t be surprised if Woodland’s dream season continues. Gary gained on the field in all four basic strokes-gained categories last week. That’s the style of well-rounded play that suits the Tour Championship.
Noonan: Tom Kim (50-1, Fanatics) — Over the past six months, Tom Kim leads the field in SG/approach, gaining 0.89 strokes per round. He was also just behind Morikawa in distance from the edge of the fairway last week at Bellerive, and that ball-striking combination is exactly the recipe I'm targeting this week. He also loves putting on Bermuda.
Hennessey, Golf Digest: Tom Kim (50-1, Fanatics) — The Scottish Open winner doesn’t have the distance edge that we want to see at East Lake, but his approach numbers are stellar—ranking second in the field the past 30 rounds, and he’s fourth in Birdie or Better percentage.
Powers, Golf Digest: Gary Woodland (48-1, DraftKings) — Hope you got the Monday 60-1 that was out there, which was an enormous misprice coming off the week he just had at Bellerive. Hell, 48-1 is a misprice in a 30-man field at a course that will again accentuate Gary’s strengths, too.
Lack: Ryan Gerard (55-1, BetOnline) — Ryan Gerard continues to play some solid, consistent golf. He’s now recorded four top-25 finishes in his last five starts, including back-to-back top-10s at the Open and Rocket Classic. Gerard drove the ball great last week at Bellerive, and a solid performance at East Lake is necessary for the 27-year-old to pad his Presidents Cup resume.
Tour Championship picks 2026: Miscellaneous prop
Mayo: Wyndham Clark top-five finish including ties (+240, DraftKings) — There are a lot of weird markets this week because of the 30-man field. This is one of them. Clark’s never finished worse than eighth in his two Tour Championship appearances and has never come in carrying better form. He just showed out at two zoysia fairway, Bermuda grass courses. Why not another?
Stewart: Scottie Scheffler top-three finish (+115, Bet365) — A positive Scottie prop?!?! The first player I looked for this week on-site was Scottie Scheffler. The No. 1 player in the world is feeling better and in fantastic form. Scheffler is a sure thing to contend at a venue where he has six starts and five top-six results.
Noonan: Patrick Cantlay top-five finish including ties (+230, DraftKings) — I don’t think he’s closing, but it’s hard to argue with Patrick Cantlay’s form and fit here. He finished second in my model at Betsperts Golf this week, and I like getting better than 2-1 with ties here.
Hennessey, Golf Digest: Patrick Cantlay, top-five finish after Round 1 (+335, DraftKings) — Cantlay had a stellar Sunday at Bellerive, plays well at East Lake and loves to come out hot.
Powers, Golf Digest: Russell Henley lowest 18-hole score (27-1, DraftKings) — This has hit in each of the last two Tour Championships, with Henley opening with a 61 last year and a 62 in the final round the year before. Coming off his best approach week since his win at Colonial, this is worth a sprinkle.
Lack: Patrick Cantlay (-135) over Sam Burns (Matchup, BetCris) — Matchups have been where I’ve found the most success by a wide margin this year, so let’s go with another one for the additional prop. Patrick Cantlay is in the midst of one the best approach stretches of his career and is coming off three top-12 finishes in a row. Sam Burns has had less success at East Lake and has struggled to find the fairway the last two weeks.
Misc. Prop Results from the BMW Championship: Mayo: 1 for 1 (Gary Woodland first-round leader 40-1, five-way tie/chop at +800); Lack: 1 for 1 (Gary Woodland first-round leader 40-1, five-way tie/chop at +800); Powers: 1 for 1 (Michael Brennan top 20 including ties +115); Noonan: 0 for 1; Stewart: 0 for 1; Hennessey: 0 for 1
Misc. Prop Results from the 2026 season: Lack: 2 for 3 (up 7.8 units); Mayo: 1 for 3 (up 6 units); Noonan: 1 for 3 (up 3 units); Stewart: 1 for 3 (up 2.45 units); Powers: 2 for 3 (up 0.98 units); Hennessey: 0 for 3 (down 3 units)
Tour Championship picks 2026: Matchups
Mayo: Rory McIlroy (+158) over Scottie Scheffler (DraftKings) — I have them ranked about even at East Lake, as Rory has shown a propensity to tear this course apart. Obviously, Scottie has a FedEx Cup and some good results here, but overall, it’s been one of his worst courses over the years. Even if I have Scheffler as a slight favorite (which I do), the price still leans towards Rory.
Stewart: Adam Scott (-114) over Tom Kim (DraftKings) — What happens when two International Presidents Cup teammates face off at East Lake? Adam Scott and Tom Kim are both entering the Tour Championship with some momentum. I’m taking Scott over Kim based on length, ball-striking, and course history. Tom has only one start in Atlanta (2023, T-20), while Adam has 13 starts, a win (2006), and seven top 10s, including a T-4 last year.
Noonan: Russell Henley (-105) over Hideki Matsuyama (BetOnline) — I’m leaning on controlling the ball off the tee this week, and that's a distinct edge for Henley in a matchup against Matsuyama. This is a long track, but Henley finished second here last year and can compete and win anywhere.
Hennessey, Golf Digest: Rory McIlroy (+158) over Scottie Scheffler (DraftKings) — Copying this one from CP, who I know will break his streak this week. By the way, check out our podcast with Larry from Tom and Marty’s this week, where the two break down their hilarious season-long bit.
Powers, Golf Digest: Rory McIlroy (+158) over Scottie Scheffler (DraftKings) — Given Rory’s history at East Lake, and his huge bounce back at Bellerive, I’ll happily back him as a huge dog in this matchup. Both guys are going to be inside the top five on Sunday. Then it’ll just come down to the hotter putter.
Lack: Ryan Gerard (-110) over Tom Kim (BetCris) — As I discussed with Ryan Gerard for my longshot, he is a player I am looking to back in all markets this week. Tom Kim has played well towards the back half of the season, but he lost in both ball-striking categories last week, and since the Andrew Green renovation, East Lake is even more bomber-friendly than it has been in the past.
Matchup Results from the BMW Championship: Lack: 1 for 1 (Cantlay (-120) over Thomas); Stewart: 0 for 1; Powers: 0 for 1; Noonan: 0 for 1; Mayo: 0 for 1; Hennessey: 0 for 1
Matchup Results from the 2026 season (Wins-Losses-Pushes): Stewart: 17-10-3 (up 5.13 units); Powers: 19-13-0 (up 4.34 units); Noonan: 16-12-4 (up 2.41 units); Lack: 18-12-2 (up 2.26 units); Mayo: 16-14-2 (up 2.12 units); Hennessey: 12-17-3 (down 5.97 units)
The Courses We Want to See Host the Tour Championship:
Tour Championship picks 2026: Top 10s
Mayo: Tom Kim (+196, DraftKings) — Accuracy, irons and Bermuda putting. These are the three demands of the course and the three areas where Tom Kim excels. While he’s one of the last qualifiers in the field, he’s really only been good for the past two months, so even being here showcases his top-end form.
Stewart: Collin Morikawa (+130, DraftKings) — I believe Collin Morikawa can finish in the top 10 this week with just his approach play. Morikawa has gained strokes on the field in 17 straight starts with his irons. The runner-up at East Lake in 2024, Collin has two more top-six finishes in Atlanta. Toss in a T-4 last week in St. Louis, and there’s little doubt he’s trending toward another top-10 result.
Noonan: Viktor Hovland (+130, DraftKings) — At a venue that showcases elite ball-striking, mitigates around-the-green play, and features Bermuda grass greens, we should all be thinking about getting access to Viktor Hovland in some way, shape, or form this week.
Hennessey, Golf Digest: Tom Kim (+196, DraftKings) — I’ll back up my sleeper pick here with solid odds at a top 10 in a 30-person field.
Powers, Golf Digest: Russell Henley (+132, DraftKings) — Thanks to his 62 and 61 the last two years here, Henley has had no issue finishing in the top 10. With how straight he drives it and how well he hits his irons, he should have no issue making it three in a row in 2026.
Lack: Ludvig Aberg (+110, FanDuel) — Ludvig Aberg continues to play very consistent, great golf, but there is always one round that prevents him from contention. I still believe that plus-money on a top-10 finish is more than fair, and Aberg’s well-rounded game will take to the new look East Lake well.
Top-10 results from the BMW Championship: Hennessey: 1 for 1 (Gary Woodland +400); Noonan: 1 for 1 (Wyndham Clark +230); Everybody else: 0 for 1
Top-10 results from the 2026 season: Mayo: 10 for 32 (up 37.55 units); Lack: 8 for 32 (up 9.1 units); Stewart: 8 for 32 (up 3.55 units); Noonan: 8 for 33 (up 1.2 units); Powers: 6 for 32 (down 2.75 units); Hennessey: 6 for 32 (down 7.6 units)
About our experts
Pat Mayo is an award-winning video host and producer of long and short-form content, and the host of The Pat Mayo Experience daily talk show. Mayo helped create the golf stats and research website Fantasy National along with the Race for the Mayo Cup One and Done contest. Mayo won the 2022 Fantasy Sports Writing Association Daily Fantasy Writer of the Year and is a finalist for three FSWA Awards in 2023 (Best Podcast, Daily Fantasy Writer of the Year, Golf Writer of the Year). His 27 FSWA nominations lead all writers this decade and are second-most all-time. Follow him on Twitter: @ThePME.
Keith Stewart is a five-time award-winning PGA professional, a betting contributor and content partner with Golf Digest. Stewart is a co-founder of Read The Line, the premier on-site live golf betting insights service covering the PGA Tour, LPGA and TGL. Subscribe to Read The Line’s weekly newsletter for the industry's best betting narratives. Follow him on Twitter @readtheline_.
Ryan Noonan is the Betting Content Manager for 4for4 and Betsperts Golf, writing articles and hosting multiple shows under the Betsperts Group umbrella, including Move The Line and our Betsperts Golf Betting Show. Find him on Twitter: @RyNoonan.
Andy Lack is a PGA Tour writer and podcaster from New York City who now resides in Los Angeles. Andy is the founder and CEO of Inside Sports Network, a website devoted to the predictive quality of advanced analytics and golf course architecture. He came to Golf Digest’s betting panel after previously writing for Run Pure Sports, RickRunGood.com, the Score and GolfWRX. In his free time, Andy can likely be found on a golf course. Follow him on Twitter: @adplacksports.