2026 Tour Championship picks, odds: Expert predictions, favorites to win FedEx Cup Playoffs finale

The conclusion to another fantastic season on the PGA Tour goes down this week in Atlanta as the 2026 FedEx Cup Playoffs wrap with the final leg held at East Lake Golf Club. A massive $10 million winner's share is on the line for whoever finishes atop the leaderboard at the 2026 Tour Championship, though, unlike last year when Scottie Scheffler was a heavy favorite, no individual enters the Tour Championship as the expected victor. Scheffler will be looking to become the third multi-time FedEx Cup champion, joining Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy, while picking up his third win of the season and potentially clinching another PGA Tour Player of the Year award.

McIlroy's up-and-down season has continued in the FedEx Cup Playoffs, and he could claim a record fourth crown this week in Atlanta. Meanwhile, Matt Fitzpatrick, Chris Gotterup and Wyndham Clark will continue competing with Scheffler for the year-end honor. Each has won three times on the PGA Tour this season, and any of the three has an opportunity to break the tie to stand atop the circuit as the most successful player of 2026.

Even if one does not lift the FedEx Cup at the end of the Tour Championship, there are still eight other seven-figure paydays available. Second place will earn $5 million while eighth will bring in a shade over $1 million for playing the final 72 holes of the season. Golfers will be able to add to their massive totals from the season even if they don't come out on top.

Will the Tour Championship ultimately come down to Scheffler, McIlroy or the field? Could Tommy Fleetwood bounce back from another winless regular season and become the first to go back-to-back at the Tour Championship? Our CBS Sports experts debate exactly that below.

Let's take a look at a full set of Tour Championship picks and predictions as we attempt to project who will win -- and what will happen -- at the final PGA Tour event of 2026. Winner -- Patrick Cantlay (16-1): With all the fanfare around Fleetwood, most forget that Cantlay was right by his side in last year's final round. The 2021 FedEx Cup champion has not won a tournament in over four years, but this is the time of year that grabs his attention with his game peaking at precisely the right moment.

Over the last three months, he ranks third in this field in strokes gained tee to green and second in iron play. The question is whether he can make enough putts. Sleeper -- Adam Scott (44-1): One of those players to miss the postseason in 2025 and make his way to the Tour Championship this year.