The PGA TOUR’s Creator Classic at East Lake, the final stop in the 2025 Creator Classic Series presented by YouTube, returns on August 20 with significant enhancements including a $100,000 winner-take-all purse and expanded digital activations. 

According to the announcement, the event will stream live from East Lake Golf Club across multiple platforms including the PGA TOUR’s YouTube channel, YouTube TV, GOLF Channel, and ESPN+.

The field includes returning players from previous Creator Classic events, such as Luke Kwon, winner of the inaugural 2024 Creator Classic. Other participants include Tisha Alyn, Sabrina Andolpho, Gabby Golf Girl, Peter Finch, Micah Morris, Chris Solomon, and Roger Steele, alongside “Good Good’s” Garrett Clark, Brad Dalke and Sean Walsh. Daniel Saloner—known as “Short Game King”—earned his spot by winning the 2025 Creator Classic Qualifier at East Lake in July.

Players will compete on holes 10 through 17 at East Lake in an eight-hole, gross stroke-play format. The lowest four scores and ties will advance to a playoff on the 18th hole, with the winner claiming the entire $100,000 purse.

Broadcast Production

The Creator Classic will feature premium broadcast quality with live ShotLink powered by CDW scoring/data, Trackman shot trails, and tracing via drone. Shane Bacon will provide play-by-play from PGA TOUR Studios alongside Aaron Chewning and Hannah Aslesen from St. Andre Golf, with Paige Spiranac and Dan Rapaport serving as on-course reporters.

This approach differs significantly from traditional golf broadcasts. According to Mark Olsen, Pro Shop Studios co-founder, the production focuses on creator reactions rather than just shot outcomes. “We have to bet on them to hang on. If whoever tees off, we want to see their reaction to their shot, which is anathema to a PGA broadcast,” Olsen told Net Influencer in June.

Fan Engagement and YouTube Integration

YouTube is set to host a Creator Collective meetup, bringing together more than 50 creators for a curated experience. Spectators at East Lake will have access to the new “YouTube Clubhouse,” an activation within The Landing situated between No. 16 green and No. 17 fairway. Open to all ticketholders Wednesday through Sunday, the space includes swing simulators, seating areas, refreshments, and interactive experiences.

“At YouTube, we’re reimagining the future of live sports — and creators are at the forefront of the evolution,” Angela Courtin, VP of Connected TV Marketing at YouTube, said in a statement. “In partnership with the PGA TOUR, the Creator Classic demonstrates how sports, community, and storytelling can intersect to expand golf’s reach.”

Creator Series Growth

The Creator Classic Series has expanded from a single experimental event in 2024 to a three-tournament series in 2025, with previous stops at TPC Sawgrass for The Players Championship and Philadelphia Cricket Club. According to Pro Shop Studios, the inaugural event reached 60 million golf fans across social media.

“To cap our 2025 Creator Classic Series presented by YouTube on the same grass where the FedExCup champion will be determined is no accident, with East Lake providing the perfect stage to end our series that’s connected millions of new fans to the game,” stated Chad Mumm, co-founder and President of Pro Shop.

The success of these creator competitions has spawned similar ventures, including The Peoples League, which launched this year with 12 social media stars, including Luke Kwon, who also competes in the Creator Classic.