McIlroy Rebounds with 64 to Share BMW Championship Lead
Rory McIlroy returned to form with a 6-under 64 to share the lead after the first round of the BMW Championship at Bellerive Country Club. The world number two, who finished 66th at the previous event in Memphis, credited swing adjustments with coach Michael Bannon and caddie Harry Diamond for his recovery. He shares the lead with Gary Woodland, Wyndham Clark, J.J. Spaun, and Chris Gotterup. Woodland’s strong round is significant for the FedEx Cup standings, as he moved from 31st to a projected 17th, securing a path to the Tour Championship. Meanwhile, defending champion Scottie Scheffler struggled, finishing two over par in a tie for 44th, though his position at the top of the FedEx Cup standings remains secure.
Key points
- McIlroy shot a bogey-free 64, birdying three of his final four holes to reach the clubhouse lead.
- Five players share the lead at 6-under, including Woodland, Clark, Spaun, and Gotterup.
- Woodland’s round is critical for the FedEx Cup, moving him from 31st to a projected 17th place.
- Scheffler posted a 2-over round, tying for 44th, but remains the FedEx Cup leader.
- McIlroy noted that Bellerive’s wider fairways and softer conditions suit his game better than Memphis.
Background
McIlroy has faced putting and ball-striking challenges recently, including a 2-over round at The Open in July where he struggled on the greens. His recent slump in Memphis, where he finished 66th, highlighted a need for technical adjustments. This week’s performance marks a significant rebound after a quiet back half of the season, where he dropped to 13th in the FedEx Cup standings before the playoffs began.
How outlets are covering it
BBC Sport emphasizes McIlroy’s technical recovery, highlighting his comments on working with Bannon and Diamond to restore his swing. CBS Sports provides detailed play-by-play updates, noting McIlroy’s late surge and the specific struggles of other top players like Scheffler and Ludvig Åberg. Bleacher Report focuses on the broader implications for the FedEx Cup standings, particularly how Woodland’s round secures his spot for the Tour Championship, while also noting the low scoring environment with 24 players under par.
Why it matters
This result signals a potential turnaround for McIlroy as the season concludes, while Woodland’s performance ensures his presence in the final playoff event. Scheffler’s poor round, despite his secure FedEx Cup lead, raises questions about his form entering the Tour Championship. The low scoring at Bellerive suggests a competitive field for the remaining rounds.
What to watch
McIlroy and the other leaders will look to extend their lead in the second round. Woodland must maintain his position to secure a spot in the Tour Championship. Scheffler will need to recover from his slow start to enter the final event in strong form. The field will continue to battle for positions in the FedEx Cup standings, with several players on the bubble for the Tour Championship.
- Rory McIlroy: World number two back in form with lead at BMW Championship BBC
- 2026 BMW Championship leaderboard: Rory McIlroy among five tied for lead after Round 1 in St. Louis CBS Sports
- Rory McIlroy makes quick turnaround for 5-way share of the lead at BMW as ailing Scheffler fades WRAL
- McIlroy details swing fix that resulted in 64 at BMW Championship Yahoo Sports
- BMW Championship Leaderboard 2026 Review of Top Scorecards and Player Stats on Day 1 Bleacher Report
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