Rory McIlroy’s BMW Championship week was a curious one as the Northern Irishman returned to action after several weeks on the sideline. The decision to sit out the FedEx St. Jude Championship stirred plenty of debate, with McIlroy entering the FedExCup Playoffs seemingly positioned for a run at the Tour Championship, if not the overall title, next week at East Lake.
McIlroy himself admitted the opening round was far from his best. He battled through a rough start but steadied the ship to post a 66 on Friday. Still, the four-time major winner couldn’t string together the kind of consistency he’s known for, finishing outside the top 10 at the BMW Championship.
This season has been something of a storyline for McIlroy. Since winning The Masters, he hasn’t produced his usual rhythm, with his best serious contention coming at the Genesis Scottish Open. After the final round in Baltimore, he conceded that he may have set unrealistic expectations for the week, acknowledging a rough start and saying there were “glimmers of really good stuff” to build on.
“The game was awful for the first six holes, and then I felt like I found something, especially on the back nine,” McIlroy said. “This week was my three weeks off. I didn’t do much in those three weeks. I probably expected too much to get in contention, but there were glimmers of really good stuff this week. I felt like I found a bit of a groove over the last nine holes, so certainly something to build off going into the Tour Championship next week.”
Looking ahead, East Lake has undergone notable changes in recent years, making past form a bit less predictable. Still, McIlroy arrives with a strong Tour Championship résumé, having won at East Lake in 2016, 2019 and 2022, and having finished in the top 10 in nine of his 11 appearances in the event. The absence of Xander Schauffele from the season finale could alter the dynamic, potentially boosting confidence for a number of players entering the week.
Of course, nothing will be decided without McIlroy matching his best level. The question is whether he can channel the improvements he glimpsed in the back nine of BMW into a sustained run at East Lake, and whether he can find the form that would allow him to challenge for the FedExCup crown once again.
In the end, the week offered a hopeful signal: with a clearer idea of what he needs to work on and a track record of peak performances at East Lake, McIlroy remains a formidable threat when everything clicks. If he can translate the late-round momentum into four consistent rounds at the Tour Championship, a strong push for the FedExCup isn’t out of the question.
What this means going forward
– Mental and physical rhythm: The clear takeaway is that three weeks off didn’t erase McIlroy’s potential; refining the pre-shot routine and course management could unlock his best golf at East Lake.
– Tour Championship dynamics: With Schauffele out, the door opens for other contenders. McIlroy’s proven history at East Lake positions him as a legitimate threat if he can recapture his top form.
– Next steps: Expect McIlroy to focus on rhythm and scoring opportunities on the back nine, aiming to carry the momentum from BMW into the Tour Championship.
Summary
McIlroy’s BMW Championship week showed both the challenges of returning from a drought and the potential for a rebound at East Lake, where his track record suggests he can still contend for the FedExCup if he finds the sharpness he glimpsed late in his BMW round.
Potential follow-up angles
– A deeper look at what specifically helped McIlroy find groove on the back nine and how those adjustments can be reinforced.
– Analysis of East Lake’s course changes and how they might favor McIlroy’s game this time around.
– Player-by-player implications of Schauffele’s absence in the finale and how the field might recalibrate its approach to the Tour Championship.