IRELAND's Shane Lowry is relishing his first ever Tour Championship at East Lake Golf Club this week as the FedEx Cup Playoffs come to an end.
The Offaly star will be part of the staggered 'starting Strokes' 2024 campaign finale at East Lake Golf Club.
The Irishman is one of the 30-man field that will battle it out for $100m in Atalanta, Georgia.
The 2019 Open winner will start on -3 in the format that rewards the players for their final standings on the FedEx Cup points table after the regular season and two playoff events.
East Lake Golf Club has undergone MASSIVE renovations since the 2023 Tour Championship, and the Irishman sees that as a major positive for his chances of a good week.
World renowned course designer Andrew Green was tasked with the job as but was asked to “preserve the rich heritage while incorporating modern enhancements” of the classic Donald Ross design.
While many have questioned the massive changes at the track, the Clara native is delighted as it's the first time he's played the course.
Many players such as last year's FedEx Cup champion Viktor Hovland called East Lake a 'major championship golf course.'
World number one Scottie Scheffler spoke about the firmness of the greens, and Xander Schauffele said he was surprised that the PGA Tour didn't change venue for a year to let the greens soften.
The major take is that players reckon it will play a lot harder than previous year with the reconstruction complete.
But Lowry, who traditionally fairs well on the harder courses on tour, in fact said more or less the complete opposite from the general complaint.
Speaking to the media this afternoon the Irishman said he really liked the course after playing two practice rounds in as many days.
Lowry commented: "It’s great to hear the lads moaning about it inside the locker room and I’m happy with what I see.
"It’s going to play quite difficult. If you miss fairways you’re going to struggle to make pars, and it’s going to be hard to get the ball close to the pins.
"I've heard the changes are huge, and it's way different than it was but like I said, it's a new golf course for me.
"I've never been here, I kind of like what I see. I've played 18 holes here the last two days that I've been here.
FOOTBALL legends Tony Cascarino, Stuart Pearce, Andy Reid and Neil
O'Riordan will join The Irish Sun’s first live football preview event on Tuesday September 3 ahead of the Republic of Ireland v England match in The Aviva that weekend.
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panel delves into the upcoming big match between football rivals the Republic of Ireland and England.
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The ticket includes a complimentary drink for attendees and each ticketholder will be entered into a draw for a chance to win a pair of match tickets to the big game in the Aviva on Saturday September 7.
Tickets are just €5 and available to purchase HERE.
"I like tough golf courses, so I'm pretty happy about it."
The Irishman has a huge amount of ground to make up on the leaders as nobody has ever won from starting seven shots back at the Tour Championship.
Lowry gets underway at 5:49pm IST alongside Adam Scott.
All the action is live from Thursday on Sky Sports Golf.
