Scheffler, McIlroy lead BMW Championship in FedExCup race

The BMW Championship gets under way Thursday at Caves Valley Golf Club in Maryland, with Scottie Scheffler and Rory McIlroy leading the field into the second leg of the FedExCup Playoffs. The grouping of the world’s top two players, who have shared nine majors between them in 2025, highlights a tournament that serves as a crucial qualifier for the Tour Championship next week. The field consists of 50 players, all chasing one of 30 spots for East Lake, while the tournament carries a $20 million purse, and the winner earns 3.6 million plus 2,000 FedExCup points, underscoring the event’s significance in the season-long race.

Thursday’s round features the clash of Scheffler and McIlroy in a marquee pairing, with both veterans entering the week in strong position in the FedExCup standings. Scheffler arrives fresh off a T-3 at TPC Southwind, reinforcing his grip on the top spot in the FedExCup rankings, while McIlroy returns to PGA Tour play for the first time since the Open, choosing to skip the FedEx St. Jude Championship as his busy international schedule continues through year-end. The pairing is complemented by Ryder Cup context, as Justin Rose and JJ Spaun are scheduled to meet...