How exactly are you supposed to get excited about a championship when twenty-two of thirty players shoot under par in the opening round and the field combines for a staggering 82-under total? This scoring fest has reignited the heated debate about whether East Lake Golf Club deserves to host golf’s season-ending spectacle, and the frustration is reaching new levels. As Friday’s second round continues to unfold, Tommy Fleetwood is surging ahead and also defending the Tour for the case preferred lies; even the most loyal fans are left questioning: what makes this venue championship-worthy?

The backlash started brewing when Michael’s viral Twitter post perfectly captured widespread sentiment. He wrote, “Really hope this is the last year the Tour Championship is at East Lake. Obviously, they can’t control the weather, but this has been one of the most boring setups we’ve seen all year.” His post struck a nerve because it articulated what many fans were thinking. The Tour had promised a championship-level test after Andrew Green’s $30 million restoration work. Instead, players continue firing at pins with wedges under preferred lies conditions.

Meanwhile, the PGA Tour has quietly acknowledged that East Lake’s permanent status isn’t guaranteed forever. Policy board discussions have intensified around venue rotation possibilities. Adam Scott, who sits on the policy board, confirmed that venue changes have been “discussed” and they’ve “questioned everything at some point.” The current contract with East Lake expires in 2027, opening a window for potential changes. Peter Malnati, another policy board member, captured the core issue perfectly: “I don’t hear fans say it is an exciting golf course to watch golf. I know it does a lot for the community and that’s very important, but I think it would be cool for our biggest trophy to be given away at a course that really excites fans.”

The BMW Championship already blazed this trail successfully. It broke from its permanent Chicago location and now rotates to golf-starved metropolitan cities like Chicago, Denver, Boston, New York, Philadelphia, and Seattle. This rotation model has proven that change can work without losing championship credibility. Yet the current scoring conditions at East Lake continue to reinforce concerns about venue suitability. Multiple players continued carding rounds in the mid-60s, showing no signs of the championship-level difficulty the Tour promised.

Moreover, the criticism extends far beyond Michael’s original post, with fans expressing frustration about the course setup itself.

Fan reactions reveal deeper East Lake venue frustrations

“@PGATOUR should be embarrassed by this setup. Tour championship and 65 is basically par. Way too easy for these guys,” one viewer complained. This criticism carries weight considering Russell Henley’s opening 61 and the field’s 82-under combined total. Others questioned East Lake’s permanent status directly, with one commenter suggesting, “East Lake is pretty mid imo. They should make it a tour stop and move the Tour Championship around.”

The preferred lies ruling drew particularly harsh criticism from traditionalists. “As if East Lake wasn’t playing easy enough, lift, clean & place in the tour championship is a disgrace to golf,” wrote one frustrated fan. The PGA Tour implemented preferred lies due to heavy rainfall on Tuesday and Wednesday that softened conditions. However, this marked another instance of weather-related rule modifications affecting championship play, further undermining the event’s prestige.

Comparisons to lesser tournaments became a common refrain as scores plummeted. “Is this the Tour Championship or the John Deere Classic? Rain makes it so easy for the best players. Worst score is still in the red,” one viewer noted. The venue excitement factor drew blunt assessment from viewers, with one fan admitting, “I stg I almost tweeted earlier while I was watching – ‘East Lake is a boring ass golf course.'” This echoes long-standing criticism about East Lake lacking the visual appeal and dramatic moments that define great championship venues.

The mounting criticism puts the PGA Tour in a difficult position as it approaches 2027 contract discussions. East Lake faces unprecedented scrutiny despite recent improvements, while fan frustration reflects broader questions about venue permanence versus excitement in season finales. With scores continuing to plummet at East Lake, should the PGA Tour finally embrace venue rotation for its season finale? What makes a course worthy of crowning a FedEx Cup champion?