McIlroy's Redemption Round
Rory McIlroy delivered the improved performance he had been seeking, carding a six-under-par 64 in the opening round of the BMW Championship at Bellerive in St Louis. The Northern Irishman, who had admitted that even signs of a positive display would feel like a win after labouring to an eight-over finish at last week's St Jude Championship, showed signs of returning to form. Starting in the early afternoon wave, he birdied the fourth and eighth holes to make the turn at two under, then added a seven-foot birdie putt on the par-three 13th after a fine tee shot. A lengthy drive on the 492-yard 15th set up another birdie, and he closed with successive birdies to sign for a welcome 64.[S1]
McIlroy attributed his improved play to work with swing coach Michael Bannon and caddie Harry Diamond after returning home from Memphis. He said he felt he had gotten himself back going in the right direction with his swing, but noted that you never know what will happen when you turn up at a tournament. He explained that the Bellerive course suits his game better than Memphis did last week, with wider playing corridors that allow for occasional misses off the tee. McIlroy, who is 13th in the play-off standings and assured of a spot in the 30-man Tour Championship, expressed greater comfort on this golf course compared to the previous week.[S1]
Scheffler's Opening Struggles
World number one Scottie Scheffler, who had been in fine form with a final-round 66 to claim his first win since January at last week's St Jude Championship, endured a difficult start at Bellerive. Looking to defend his title from last year's 15-under victory at Caves Valley in Maryland, Scheffler instead found himself at the bottom of the leaderboard after four bogeys in his first seven holes. He recovered a stroke before the turn but then dropped a shot on the 10th. Two more birdies around a run of pars helped steady his round, leaving him at two over par, with only three of the 50-player field behind him. Scheffler did not speak to the media after his round.[S1]
Leaderboard Crowded at the Top
McIlroy shares the lead with Americans Gary Woodland and Wyndham Clark, both at six under. Woodland slotted in a superb 99-yard eagle on the 11th, while Clark made birdie on five of his last six holes. JJ Spaun, another former US Open champion, looked set to be clear on his own before a bogey at the 18th saw him also in a tie for the lead along with late finisher Chris Gotterup. Matt Fitzpatrick finished with two birdies to sit at five under with Japan's Ryo Hisatsune, while his brother Alex is in a group a shot back.[S1]
