Rory McIlroy Fires 64 to Share BMW Championship Lead

Posted : 21 August 2026

Rory McIlroy made an impressive return to form at the BMW Championship on Thursday, carding a six-under-par 64 to share the opening-round lead at Bellerive Country Club in St. Louis. The Northern Irishman finished level with Gary Woodland, Wyndham Clark, J.J. Spaun and Chris Gotterup in the second event of the PGA Tour's FedEx Cup playoffs.

The strong opening round was a welcome response from McIlroy after a disappointing showing at last week's FedEx St. Jude Championship. He had finished 66th in Memphis and admitted afterward that he had felt lost with his swing, but work during the week helped restore confidence ahead of the BMW Championship.

McIlroy's round was built around six birdies without a bogey. He made two birdies on the front nine before adding four more on the back nine, including consecutive gains at the 17th and 18th holes to finish in style.

The six-time major champion particularly enjoyed the layout at Bellerive, where its length and generous fairways suited his aggressive style. His performance also marked a major turnaround from the struggles that had left him searching for answers only days earlier.

World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler experienced the opposite fortunes. Fresh from his dominant victory at the St. Jude Championship, Scheffler struggled throughout his opening round and finished with a two-over 72, leaving him tied for 44th in the 50-man field.

Woodland was among the early pace-setters after producing an eagle on the 11th, where he holed out from 99 yards. He reached seven under before dropping a shot at the 18th, ultimately joining McIlroy on six under.

Spaun also briefly held the outright lead after making his seventh birdie at the 17th, but a bogey on the final hole brought him back into the five-player tie. Clark matched the group after finishing with a run of three consecutive birdies, while Gotterup also posted a six-under 64.

Ryo Hisatsune and Matt Fitzpatrick sit one stroke behind the leaders at five under, with Alex Fitzpatrick, Ludvig Aberg, Michael Thorbjornsen and Jacob Bridgeman another shot back at four under.

With the BMW Championship featuring only 50 players and the top 30 advancing to the season-ending Tour Championship, every round carries significant FedEx Cup implications. McIlroy's fast start puts him in an excellent position to strengthen his bid for another deep playoff run.

Rory McIlroy Fires 64 to Share BMW Championship Lead

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