Report by Anand Datla
Amidst tricky conditions at the Cherry Hills Country Club, Rory McIlroy suffered a late stumble but still managed to retain a share of the lead at the end of the first round at the BMW Championships. Keeping him company were Jordan Spieth and Gary Woodland, but none of them can rest very well. Like a hungry pack of hounds, there are nine men sitting just one shot off the pace in a group that includes Sergio Garcia, Henrik Stenson and Martin Kaymer.
McIlroy was set to have a brilliant finish, but after enjoying a two shot lead for much of the day, he slipped back into a tie after closing his day with a pair of bogeys. The Northern Irishman started on the back nine and made some terrific par saves to settle for a 34 that included birdies at the 12th and 17th holes. The world No.1 caught fire immediately after the turn, producing three straight birdies to take control. But bogeys at eight and nine left him taking a 67 for his day’s work.
Spieth made six birdies, but a bogey on the front and another two on the back nine set him back. The American finished with birdies at the 6th and 7th to end the day with a share of the lead. In contrast, Woodland had a far more assured round, three birdies on the final stretch helping him join Spieth and McIlroy in the lead.
Hideki Matsuyama took a 69, largely dented by a pair of bogeys on the finishing stretch. The Japanese got off to a brilliant start on the back nine, making three birdies to turn in 33. KJ Choi made a 69 too to settle in T13, two strokes behind the leaders. Seung Yul Noh had to settle for an even par 70 in a tie for 22nd along side Phil Mickelson and Jim Furyk.
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