St. Louis – The BMW Championship opened on Thursday with a dramatic shift at Bellerive Golf Club. After a four‑week break following his British Open win, Rory McIlroy returned to competition and shot a flawless 6‑under 64, putting him into a five‑way tie for the lead. The leaderboard now includes three former U.S. Open champions – Gary Woodland, Wyndham Clark and J.J. Spaun – as well as Chris Gotterup.
McIlroy’s quick comeback
McIlroy admitted his recent schedule left him with “rust” and limited practice. After the FedEx St. Jude Championship, where he failed to break par for the first time in five years, he returned home to Florida and worked with swing coach Michael Bannon. “I worked on a few things and got myself back in a frame of mind where I felt I was on the right path,” McIlroy said. “Days like this are encouraging, but there is still a lot of work to be done.”
Scheffler’s unexpected struggle
World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler, who captured an eight‑shot victory in the season‑opening playoff event, arrived at Bellerive feeling ill. He posted a 72, his highest opening round since the U.S. Open in June, and left the course with a hoarse voice, declining to elaborate beyond noting he was sick.
Other U.S. Open champions in contention
Gary Woodland, a Kansas native still recovering from brain surgery, recorded an eagle on the 11th hole and finished with a single bogey on the 18th. Wyndham Clark birdied five of his last six holes, while J.J. Spaun returned to the putter that helped him win the U.S. Open at Oakmont two years ago, tallying seven birdies before a final‑hole bogey.
Matt Fitzpatrick, the 2022 U.S. Open champion, sits just one shot behind the leaders. Clark noted the coincidence of five of the seven players at 65 or better being U.S. Open champions.
Woodland’s personal battle
Woodland highlighted the challenges of managing his heart rate after a recent heat wave in Memphis, Tennessee. He explained a personal ritual of placing his hand on his chest before putting, reminding himself that he is alive and breathing – a technique he has used this year to stay calm under pressure.
Implications for the FedEx Cup
Woodland currently sits 31st in the FedEx Cup standings; only the top 30 will advance to the Tour Championship in Atlanta next week, securing starts in all four majors next season and a chance at the $10 million prize pool.
The BMW Championship will continue through Sunday, with the field narrowing as players vie for the coveted FedEx Cup points and a spot in the season‑ending showdown.
Original reporting: Texarkana Gazette — read the source article.
