From Course Records to Last Playing Captain at the Ryder Cup, Learn About the Top 7 Most Notable Moments of East Lake Golf Club

The historic East Lake Golf Club has been through a lot of ups and downs ever since its establishment. This Atlanta-based golf club has faced a lot of challenges and has overcome all of those to be accredited as the oldest course in the city, and one of the great ones too! This course is almost 120 years old and has been home to many memorable and historic moments, record-making rounds, and even a few record-shattering ones! 

Though this golf course has been a permanent home of the Tour Championship, many other championships and tournaments have been organized here! Let us peek into some of the most memorable moments that East Lake Golf Club has witnessed, and has contributed to!

Notable moments created at East Lake Golf Club 

• Home to the prestigious Ryder Cup for the first time 

In 1963, East Lake Golf Club was the official venue for the Ryder Cup. The American team was led by the legend Arnold Palmer, and he drove the team toward an amazing victory over Great Britain. What made this Ryder Cup even more special was that it was the last time that the United States had a playing Captain in the Ryder Cup.

• Vijay Singh’s career’s best round

It was the year 1998, and the Tour Championship was being held in Atlanta for the first time ever. Vijay Singh was in stellar form that year and came to the Tour Championship with the utmost positive attitude. During the tournament’s first round, Singh shot 7 under par 63. Singh’s first round of 63 broke the course’s record of 66 and it was shot by Larry Nelson in 1997 in U.S. Open qualifying.

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• Tiger Woods’ 72-hole course record during the first-ever FedEx Cup

It was the first time ever that the FedEx Cup was being organized. Before 2007, Woods had played on East Lake but his luck never favored him, and victory was always snatched from right under his nose. The 15X major champion entered the final playoff, that is, the Tour Championship, all hot and high, and showed everyone why he is known as the golf legend. 

Woods displayed impeccable form right from the championship’s start and shot 64 on the first day. It was the tournament’s second day and he put 63 on the board. After four rounds of extensive golf, the GOAT had put a final score of 23 under or 257 on the scoreboard, creating a historic course record for the 72 holes.

His record-making score led him toward an 8-stroke victory over Zach Johnson and Mark Calcavecchia. 

• Zach Johnson’s individual round course record 

The same year he lost to Tiger Woods, that is 2007, Zach Johnson created an 18-hole record during the third day of the Tour Championship. Johnson shot a round wherein he put 60 on the scorecard. He broke the previously recorded course record with his stunning score on September 15, 2007. 

• Bill Haas’ miracle shot in 2011 

In 2011, Bill Haas and Hunter Mahan were engaged in a playoff to decide the winner. It was indeed a good sight, and Haas needed a miracle to be titled as the champion. On the second playoff hole, Haas pulled his approach into the water that had been a bit on the drier side, because of the summer. The low level of water allowed Haas to still see part of his ball. The golfer’s recovery shot from the hazard spun to within a few feet of the hole, and a par on the next hole was enough to hand Haas the 2011 FedEx Cup winner title. 

• Rory McIlroy’s epic win at 2016 FedEx Cup 

In 2016, Rory McIlroy needed something to happen at a fast pace if he still wanted to secure his win. The Irish golfer was three shots behind with three holes still remaining. He pitched a wedge from 137 yards for an eagle and made his way to the three-way playoff. He closed the tournament with 6-under 64 before the playoff. During the do-or-die moment, McIlroy drilled a 15-foot putt on the same hole to win and be titled as the FedEx Cup Champion of 2016. 

Rory McIlroy is the only golfer to date to have won the FedEx Cup thrice and is the golfer who has earned the most sum of money from the tournament. 

• Collin Morikawa’s career’s lowest score

It seems the golfers’ spirits for the game are highest during the opening round. Collin Morikawa in the 2023 Tour Championship, shot his professional career’s best round. He shot 61 on August 24. The golfer just fell one stroke shot to match the course’s lowest record that was set by Johnson back in 2007. Morikawa’s best-ever round consisted of 7 birdies, one eagle, and no bogeys. 

The Tour Championship and the FedEx Cup is truly a one-of-a-kind tournament. For it to be organized on a historic golf course, means so much more! Let us know what you think of the notable moments from the East Lake Golf Club.

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