Rory McIlroy made a woeful begin to the FedExCup Playoffs as he shot four-over par opening spherical on the FedEx St. Jude Championship in Memphis.
Taking part in for the primary time since ending tied for fortieth at The Open at Royal Birkdale nearly a full month in the past, McIlroy was stage par going into the ultimate three holes earlier than a disastrous streak left him in the direction of the rear of the sector.
Dropped photographs at 16 and 17 had been adopted by a double bogey at TPC Southwind’s last gap, which got here after McIlroy discovered the water together with his tee shot to the closing par 4.
The 74 left McIlroy 9 photographs adrift of the early leaders, with American duo Jordan Spieth and Michael Thorbjornsen setting the early tempo with 65s.
England’s Tommy Fleetwood, who was paired with Spieth, was a shot off that mark after opening up with a 66 that included a pleasant chip in for eagle on the par-five third gap.
Fleetwood stated: “I really feel good. I did not actually play superb within the apply days. Recreation’s not likely been that nice. I have been exhibiting quite a bit, like some good and a few actually not so good.
“Hit it nice off the tee at the moment. Nonetheless my iron play was iffy, however I did a great job of managing it for probably the most half. Nonetheless hit some actually good photographs, and you’ll by no means underestimate how good – I believe taking pictures beneath par on this golf course is superb.”
World No 1 Scottie Scheffler, who performed alongside McIlroy within the marquee group for the opening two rounds, put himself in a stable place by delivering a 68.
Scheffler stated: “I felt like I hit loads of high quality photographs with my irons.I did a great job of being affected person and never attempting to drive it an excessive amount of.
“I really feel like I used to be proper on the sting of getting a great day, form of all day is how I might describe it. So, I felt like patience-wise, I did a fairly good job.”
Fleetwood had European firm in the direction of the highest of the leaderboard, with Ludvig Aberg and Sepp Straka each becoming a member of Scheffler on two-under.
McIlroy might a minimum of take comfort from not having the worst spherical of the day, which belonged to Scotland’s Robert MacIntyre, who shot a 12-over par 82.
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On the Sky Sports activities Golf Podcast, Jamie Weir and Brad Faxon debate whether or not Rory McIlroy’s prolonged break since The Open will assist him win a record-extending fourth FedExCup title.
Memphis is internet hosting the primary of three FedExCup Playoffs occasions, with solely the highest 50 within the general season standings on the finish of Sunday’s last spherical progressing to the BMW Championship, after which the highest 30 qualifying for the season-ending Tour Championship.
McIlroy’s place of twelfth out of the 70-player discipline means there is no such thing as a concern about his progress to the BMW Championship, whereas the very fact the occasions don’t have any reduce provides him loads of time to climb the leaderboard over the weekend.
How do the FedExCup Playoffs work?
All season lengthy, gamers have earned factors primarily based on how they’ve carried out in PGA Tour occasions, with additional factors accessible for the signature occasions and majors.
Solely the highest 70 within the standings have reached the FedEx St Jude Championship (August 13-16), with simply the highest 50 then progressing to the BMW Championship (August 20-23) after which solely the highest 30 making it to the finale, The Tour Championship (August 27-30).
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Brooks Koepka was extraordinarily upset after failing to make the FedExCup playoffs.
Winners of the primary two play-off occasions earn 750 factors apiece – the identical as The Gamers and the majors – earlier than the factors reset to zero forward of the Tour Championship.
Within the closing occasion, all gamers start at even par, with the starting-strokes mannequin primarily based on FedExCup placings at that time axed in 2025.
The winner of the Tour Championship turns into FedExCup champion for 2026, incomes $10m (£7.4m) and a five-year PGA Tour exemption.
Stay protection of the primary occasion of the PGA Tour’s FedExCup Playoffs, the FedEx St. Jude Championship, continues at 5pm on Friday. Watch stay on Sky Sports activities Golf and Sky Sports activities Essential Occasion or stream with no contract.
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