08/20/26 07:00:00
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08/20 18:59 CDT Rory McIlroy makes quick turnaround for 5-way share of the lead
at BMW as ailing Scheffler fades
Rory McIlroy makes quick turnaround for 5-way share of the lead at BMW as
ailing Scheffler fades
By DOUG FERGUSON
AP Golf Writer
ST. LOUIS (AP) --- Rory McIlroy might not be as far away as he thought four
days ago, playing bogey-free at Bellerive for a 6-under 64 that gave him a
share of the lead Thursday in the BMW Championship with three other U.S. Open
champions and Chris Gotterup.
Four days brought a big change for Scottie Scheffler, too. The world's No. 1
player went from an eight-shot victory in the postseason opener to feeling
under the weather and having to rally for a 72, his highest opening round since
the U.S. Open in June.
Scheffler's voice was hoarse when he said he didn't want to stop to talk,
saying only that he was sick as he headed for the locker room.
McIlroy returned from a four-week break after the British Open with plenty of
rust and very little golf and failed to break par in any of the four rounds for
the first time in more than five years at the FedEx St. Jude Championship.
He went home to Florida and worked with swing coach Michael Bannon.
"I went home and I worked on a few things and at least got myself back in a
frame of mind where like I felt like I'm at least back on the right path of
what I'm doing with my game and with my swing," McIlroy said. "It's certainly a
work in progress. Days like this are encouraging, obviously. There's still a
lot of work to be done."
McIlroy is fond of saying players never remember what it's like to play bad
when they're going well and they think they'll never play good again when the
game is going poorly. It's never that far away, and Thursday was a reminder of
that.
Bellerive originally was designed by Robert Trent Jones Sr. and later updated
by his son, Rees, who had the reputation as the "Open Doctor" for trying to
modernize and toughen courses. While soft conditions contributed to a bunched
leaderboard, it was hard to look past so many U.S. Open champions at the top.
Gary Woodland, a Kansas native getting plenty of support in Missouri as he
continues to recover from brain surgery and make it to the FedEx Cup finale,
holed out for eagle on the 11th fairway and didn't miss a green until the 18th,
his lone bogey. He won the U.S. Open in 2019 at Pebble Beach.
Wyndham Clark, who birdied five of his last six holes, is a two-time U.S. Open
champion, including this year at Shinnecock Hills. J.J. Spaun went back to the
putter he used when he won the U.S. Open at Oakmont two years ago and had seven
birdies until a bogey on the final hole.
Among those a shot behind was 2022 U.S. Open champion Matt Fitzpatrick.
"Coincidence," Clark said about five of seven U.S. Open champions at 65 or
better.
Woodland is the only one at 64 who really needed a start like this. The
triple-digit heat last week in Memphis, Tennessee, made it difficult for him to
slow his heart rate, which is key for him to prevent his brain from being
overly engaged.
He is at No. 31 in the FedEx Cup --- only the top 30 reach the Tour
Championship next week in Atlanta, which would guarantee him starts in all four
majors next year, along with giving him a chance to play for the FedEx Cup and
its $10 million prize.
"I can promise you East Lake wasn't on my mind to start the year," Woodland
said. "It's a goal, I think you write it down, but it seemed like far, far
away. I've had up-and-down days. I've had some rough days lately. But we've
built this together, Randy (Smith) and I, to get to a point where I feel very
comfortable over the golf ball.
"If I can find a way to get through 18 holes mentally, my game's in a pretty
good spot where I can compete out here at a level I haven't been able to
compete in a while."
Woodland kept the excitement down when the crowd erupted in cheers to see his
sand wedge from 99 yards spin back and roll into the cup for eagle on the 11th
hole. He smiled and raised his arm and gave high-fives to Adam Scott and the
caddies.
Most impressive was his 2-iron from 286 yards on the par-5 17th that rolled out
to 12 feet on the fringe. He narrowly missed that and settle for birdie.
Woodland occasionally places his hand on the left side of his chest before
putting. It looked like a reminder to keep his shoulders in place. Turns out it
has a much deeper purpose.
"When I'm struggling I put my hand on my heart to just to remind myself that
I'm alive, and if I can feel my heart beat I know I'm breathing," he said. "And
I've done that this year just to try to slow my heart down, tell myself I'm
safe and I'll be all right."
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