Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland and Open champion Brian Harman of the United States are both leading after the first round of the BMW Championship, having shared the lead.
Last month’s Open winner Harman claimed victory by a six-stroke margin, marking his first major triumph. In the BMW Championship’s first-round leaderboard, both McIlroy and Harman scored -5, leading the field by one, followed by players like Matt Fitzpatrick from England and Scottie Scheffler of the US, among six players at -4.
Others selected in the leaderboard include Collin Morikawa (US) at -3, Jordan Spieth (US) at -2, Jon Rahm (Spain), and English players Justin Rose, Tommy Fleetwood, and Tyrrell Hatton at level par.
Both McIlroy and Harman showcased some fantastic skills on the 17th hole with birdie chip shots that led them to share the lead after the first round of the event held in Chicago. They each shot five-under par 65s, edging ahead of England’s Fitzpatrick and world number one Scheffler.
Comprising the top 50 players in the PGA Tour’s FedEx Cup rankings, the tournament is a vital step towards the Tour Championship finale in Atlanta, where only the top 30 will qualify.
McIlroy, the Northern Ireland native who secured his third Tour Championship last year, made an impressive shot from the rough that bounced through a bunker and was followed by a 40-foot chip that landed him a birdie. Reflecting on his shot, McIlroy acknowledged his luck, calling it “a great bonus.”
Not to be outdone, Harman holed a 32-foot birdie chip at the same hole shortly afterward, adding to his 42-foot birdie putt at the previous hole. He noted his ability to recover and expressed satisfaction with his solid round.
Patrick Cantlay, a two-time defending champion, opened with a 68 and currently stands three shots behind the leaders, along with other noted golfers like Spieth and Rahm. His performance sets the stage for an exciting contest as the championship continues.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Championship
Who are the leaders after the first round of the BMW Championship?
Rory McIlroy from Northern Ireland and Brian Harman from the United States are sharing the lead.
What was the result of Brian Harman’s performance in last month’s Open?
Brian Harman won the Open with a six-stroke victory, marking his first major win.
How did McIlroy and Harman achieve their lead in the first round?
Both McIlroy and Harman made impressive birdie chip shots on the 17th hole, securing their lead.
How many players are tied for second place in the leaderboard?
Six players, including Matt Fitzpatrick and Scottie Scheffler, are tied for second place at four under.
What is the significance of the BMW Championship in the PGA Tour?
The BMW Championship features the top 50 players in the PGA Tour’s FedEx Cup rankings, with the top 30 qualifying for the Tour Championship finale in Atlanta.
How did McIlroy’s shot on the 17th hole unfold?
McIlroy hit a shot from rough that bounced through a bunker, followed by a 40-foot chip from behind the green, resulting in a birdie.
Describe Brian Harman’s performance on the 17th hole.
Harman holed a birdie chip from 32 feet on the 17th hole, after making a 42-foot birdie putt at the par-three 16th.
How is Patrick Cantlay faring in the championship?
Patrick Cantlay, a two-time defending champion, opened with a 68 and is currently three shots behind the leaders.
What is the composition of the field in the BMW Championship?
The field consists of the top 50 players in the PGA Tour’s FedEx Cup rankings, competing in the BMW Championship.
8 comments
rahm’s gonna catch up, mark my words!
how many make tour finale? top 30, got it!
can’t wait for next rounds, exciting times ahead!
bmw champ – rory, harman lead, whoa!
mcilroy’s lucky shot – through bunker, in hole!
harman chipped in twice, impressive stuff!
rory and brian rockin it! birdies on 17, wow!
patrick not far, gonna catch ’em soon!