McIlroy Shares BMW Championship Lead After Six-Under Opening Round

Rory McIlroy moved into a five-way share of the early lead at the BMW Championship after opening with a six-under-par round at Bellerive Country Club. BBC Sport reported that the world number two finished level with Americans Gary Woodland, Wyndham Clark, JJ Spaun and Chris Gotterup during Thursday's first round.

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McIlroy reached the turn at two under before accelerating late in his round. He birdied the 13th hole and then made three more birdies over the final four holes, a closing surge that carried him to the top of the clubhouse leaderboard. The round marked a sharp improvement from his previous PGA Tour appearance.

The Northern Irishman had finished 66th at the St Jude Championship in Memphis the previous weekend. According to BBC Sport, McIlroy credited work with swing coach Michael Bannon and caddie Harry Diamond for helping him regain a clearer feel for his swing before arriving at Bellerive.

McIlroy also told Golf Channel that Bellerive's wider playing corridors suited his game better than the Memphis course. He acknowledged that he had benefited from the extra room off the tee on a couple of occasions, while saying he felt more comfortable with the setup.

Japan's Ryo Hisatsune was one shot behind the leaders at five under. Alex Fitzpatrick, Ludvig Aberg and Michael Thorbjornsen were among the players at four under, while Matt Fitzpatrick was listed at three under. Scotland's Robert MacIntyre completed his round at two under after withdrawing from the St Jude Championship before its second round, having opened with an 82.

World number one and defending BMW Championship winner Scottie Scheffler endured a difficult opening stretch. BBC Sport reported that Scheffler made four bogeys across his first seven holes and had fallen well down the field, but the report did not give a completed first-round score for him. With play still developing, McIlroy's six-under total represented a share of the lead rather than sole possession of first place.