BMW Championship opens with McIlroy return and tight field

Live coverage of Round 1 at Caves Valley highlights field changes and playoff implications.

BMW Championship leaderboard heats up as FedEx Cup Playoffs begin

OWINGS MILLS, Md. The BMW Championship opens the second leg of the 2025 FedEx Cup Playoffs at Caves Valley Golf Club. Rory McIlroy returns to the field after sitting out the first round; Sepp Straka is absent due to a personal issue, leaving 49 of the top 50 players in the field. The week offers substantial prize money and a path to next week's Tour Championship in Atlanta.

Scottie Scheffler remains the top seed in the FedEx Cup standings, with his lead growing as McIlroy did not capitalize on last week's scoring opportunities. The Tour Championship will reset the field after 72 holes, so this week's results determine who challenges for the title rather than the final positions. Fans can follow live scores and highlights as players chase a winning round.

The playoff format concentrates pressure on a narrow front-run of players. A strong start can reshape the bubble and force shifts in strategy for the weekend. Straka's absence tightens the field in the short term, but it also boosts others who rise through the ranks.

The Tour Championship reset means momentum matters more than cushion across the final rounds. Early rounds win confidence and set up drama for the finish, underscoring how rankings can wobble suddenly in a sport built on precision and nerve.

Highlights

The week may be about the race to Atlanta, but every stroke counts now.