McIlroy Shoots 64 to Join Five-Way BMW Championship Lead

Rory McIlroy produced a bogey-free six-under-par 64 to claim a share of the first-round lead at the BMW Championship on Thursday. The Northern Irishman finished level with Gary Woodland, Wyndham Clark, J.J. Spaun and Chris Gotterup at Bellerive Country Club in St. Louis, according to reporting by the Associated Press.

Watch the highlights: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1R6hCHgZZiQ

McIlroy's sharp opening round marked a rapid response to a difficult week at the FedEx St. Jude Championship. After returning from a four-week break following the British Open, he had failed to break par in any of his four rounds at the opening FedEx Cup playoff event. The AP reported that McIlroy then returned to Florida and worked with swing coach Michael Bannon before arriving in Missouri.

The leaderboard was tightly packed after soft conditions helped create scoring opportunities. Woodland holed out from the 11th fairway for an eagle and reached the 18th without missing a green, before making his only bogey. Clark closed strongly with birdies on five of his final six holes, while Spaun recorded seven birdies before dropping a shot at the last.

Matt Fitzpatrick was among the players one stroke behind the leaders after a 65. The group at the top included several U.S. Open winners: Woodland won the championship in 2019, Spaun won at Oakmont in 2024, and Clark has won it twice, including the 2026 edition at Shinnecock Hills. McIlroy is also a former U.S. Open champion.

Scottie Scheffler experienced a contrasting start four days after winning the FedEx St. Jude Championship by eight shots. The world number one was feeling unwell and shot a two-over 72, his highest opening round since June's U.S. Open. The AP reported that Scheffler's voice was hoarse after the round and that he said he was sick before heading to the locker room.

The BMW Championship is the second event of the FedEx Cup playoffs, with only the top 30 in the standings advancing to next week's Tour Championship in Atlanta. Woodland began the week at number 31, making his strong start especially significant. The leaders will resume on Friday with the tournament still closely contested after the opening 18 holes.