Overview
- On Thursday Rory McIlroy shot a bogey‑free 6‑under 64 to share the Round‑1 lead with Gary Woodland, Wyndham Clark, J.J. Spaun and Chris Gotterup.
- Gary Woodland holed a 99‑yard eagle on the 11th and moved from outside the top 30 into a projected qualifying position for the Tour Championship.
- Soft fairways and greens produced many low rounds, with 11 players four‑under or better and 24 multiple shots under par, which tightened the leaderboard.
- World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler, fresh off an eight‑shot win last week, struggled to a 2‑over 72 and sits well back after Round 1.
- With 50 players and no 36‑hole cut, the BMW Championship weekend will determine which 30 players advance to East Lake and which players retain major exemptions and a shot at the $10 million FedEx Cup bonus.