Weather is already having an impact on the 2026 Tour Championship, and it could wreak havoc as the PGA Tour's season-ending event continues this week.
It was raining as Round 1 at East Lake Golf Club in Atlanta began on Thursday, August, 27, after nearly half an inch of water fell during the hours leading up to the start of the tournament. The umbrellas are out, golfers are wiping water off their clubs during the early pairings, and there's a threat of thunderstorms in the afternoon. The forecast looks challenging for Friday's Round 2 as well.
The PGA Tour announced prior to the opening tee times that golfers would be playing with preferred lies in the fairways during the first round due to the conditions created by the precipitation. Reports
from the course suggest keeping the ball in the fairway will be paramount, with the water making the Bermuda grass rough even nastier than usual.
Here's a breakdown of the weather forecast and what to expect at the 2026 Tour Championship:
2026 Tour Championship weather forecast
Round 1: Thursday, August 27
- The early rain is expected to end by 12 p.m. ET, with Accuweather calling for mostly cloudy and humid conditions, as well as the threat of a couple thunderstorms in the afternoon starting around 2 p.m. and lingering into the evening that could cause heavy downpours. The PGA Tour forecast states there's up to a 50% chance of lightning this afternoon. High of 88 degrees, low of 71 degrees, and wind gusts of up to 6 mph.
Round 2: Friday, August 28
- Mostly cloudy and humid with the possibility of an afternoon thunderstorm that could produce a downpour, according to Accuweather. There's a 55% chance of rainfall throughout the day. High of 87 degrees, low of 70 degrees, with low wind.
Round 3: Saturday, August 29
- Partly sunny and humid with the chance of an afternoon thunderstorm, according to Accuweather. High of 86 degrees, low of 71 degrees, low wind.
Final Round: Sunday, August 30
- Partly sunny and humid with the chance of an afternoon thunderstorm, according to Accuweather. High of 89 degrees, low of 72 degrees
Why are players using preferred lies at the Tour Championship?
The PGA Tour turns to its preferred lies rule when rain impacts the course its golfers are playing on.
Golfers are allowed to pick up their ball in "closely-mown areas" when the PGA Tour is using preferred lies during a tournament. Also known as lift, clean and place, it's typically for shots in the fairway and allows players to remove mud from the ball. The PGA Tour changed the relief area for placing a ball when using preferred lies for the 2026 season, reducing it from a club-length to scorecard length of where the ball originally landed.
How will rain impact scoring at the 2026 Tour Championship?
The rain during the 2026 Tour Championship will provide some unforeseen advantages and issues at East Lake Golf Club. The Bermuda rough is noticeably tougher to navigate and the greens are slower than what golfers practiced on throughout the week leading into Thursday's Round 1.
But playing with preferred lies often leads to lower scores and a field featuring the best golfers in the world could feast if they stay in the fairway and get used to East Lake's soft conditions slowing down its quick greens more than usual.
Watch the Tour Championship with Fubo
How to watch 2026 Tour Championship: TV, live streaming
Thursday, Aug. 27
- ESPN: 11 a.m.-1 p.m.
- Golf Channel: 1-6 p.m.
- ESPN+: 11 a.m.-6 p.m.
Friday, Aug. 28
- ESPN: 11 a.m.-1 p.m.
- Golf Channel: 1-6 p.m.
- ESPN+: 11 a.m.-6 p.m.
Saturday, Aug. 29
- Golf Channel: 1-3 p.m.
- CBS/Paramount+: 3-7 p.m.
- ESPN+: 12:15-7 p.m.
Sunday, Aug. 30
- Golf Channel: 12-1:30 p.m.
- CBS/Paramount+: 1:30-6 p.m.
- ESPN+: 11 a.m.-6 p.m.
Get PGA Tour Live with ESPN+
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Wet weather forecast could impact 2026 Tour Championship at East Lake
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