Repeat Rory: McIlroy Eyeing History

August 18, 2023

By: Carlos Alvarez

FedEx Cup Playoffs: Rory McIlroy (-5) & Brian Harman (-5) On Top After Round 1 at BMW Championship

The second event of the FedEx Cup Playoffs got underway Thursday with the BMW Championship at Olympia Fields Country Club, and one star put together a scrambler’s dream. Rory McIlroy (-5), is currently third in the FedEx Cup points standings, and a big performance this weekend would set him up for a shot at the FedEx Cup repeat. McIlroy hit just three fairways (3-for-18) on Thursday, but he still played a bogey-free round. He had back-to-back hole-outs down the stretch of the back-nine. Imagine missing 15 fairways and still shooting 5-under… Every casual golfer in the world is fuming. Brian Harman (-5) also stayed step-for-step with Rory. Scottie Scheffler (-4) and Jon Rahm (-2) are the other leaders in FedEx Cup points, and they’re still in the hunt.

Repeat Rory?: Since the FedEx Cup Playoffs inaugural postseason format in 2007, only two players have won multiple titles — Rory McIlroy (3) and Tiger Woods (2). McIlroy has won three of the last seven (2016, 2019 & 2022). No golfer has ever won back-to-back FedEx Cup titles.

Leaderboard (Round 1)

R. McIlroy (-5)

B. Harman (-5)

S. Scheffler (-4)

R. Fowler (-4)

M. Fitzpatrick (-4)

W. Clark (-4)

Other Notable Scorecards: C. Young (-3), C. Morikawa (-3), C. Conners (-3), S. Im (-2), J. Spieth (-2), M. Homa (-2), P. Cantlay (-2), J. Rahm (-2), V. Hovland (-1), L. Glover (E), T. Fleetwood (E), X. Schauffele (+1), H. Matsuyama (+1) | Full Leaderboard | FedExCup Standings

Round 1 Highlights | Round 2 Tee Times

GolfWeek: McIlroy, Harman & 103-Year-Old Grandma Susie Highlight 1st Round at BMW Championship