McIlroy bounces back to share BMW Championship lead

Rory McIlroy delivered a commanding performance on Thursday, August 20, 2026, shooting a 6-under-par 64 to claim a share of the early clubhouse lead in the first round of the BMW Championship at Bellerive Country Club in St. Louis. The world number two's fine round represented a significant bounce-back from an eight-over-par finish the previous week at the FedEx St. Jude Championship, where he placed 66th. McIlroy, who admitted ahead of the tournament that simply showing improvement would feel like a victory, accomplished far more than that, carding six birdies and no bogeys to match early pace-setters Gary Woodland and Wyndham Clark at six under.

After a frustrating stretch that included missing the cut at The Open, McIlroy had returned home from Memphis and worked with swing coach Michael Bannon and caddie Harry Diamond to rediscover his form. "I felt at least like I got myself back going in the right direction, and what I wanted to do with my swing," McIlroy said after his round. "This golf course sets up a lot better for me than Memphis did last week. The playing corridors are a lot wider, so you can get away with it, which I needed."

His confidence was evident on the...