McIlroy's 64 ties lead at BMW as Scheffler battles illness

Rory McIlroy, fresh from a four-week hiatus after the British Open, rebounded at the BMW Championship with a flawless 6-under 64, putting him into a five-player tie for first alongside U.S. Open champions Gary Woodland, Wyndham Clark, J.J. Spaun, Matt Fitzpatrick and Chris Gotterup. In contrast, world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler, who had captured an eight-shot win in the season-opening playoff, arrived ill, sounded hoarse and could only manage a 72, his worst opening round since the June U.S. Open.

McIlroy credited swing coach Michael Bannon for recent work that helped restore his confidence. The leaderboard was packed with recent U.S. Open winners, with Woodland posting an eagle on the 11th and Clark birdieing five of his last six holes. Spaun reverted to his Oakmont-winning putter, while Fitzpatrick stayed a shot behind. The tournament’s soft conditions and the presence of multiple major champions made for a tightly contested start.