![](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/golf\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/bdf74227-8f54-404c-97c4-e85ec63f50e3.jpg\")
GOOD DAY’S WORK: Adam Scott is well placed to qualify for the season-ending Tour Championship. (AP PHOTO)<\/p>\n GOOD DAY’S WORK: Adam Scott is well placed to qualify for the season-ending Tour Championship. (AP PHOTO)<\/p>\n
Adam Scott remains on track to qualify for the rich Tour Championship 20 years after winning golf’s season-ending showpiece.<\/p>\n
In another extraordinary display of longevity, 46-year-old Scott retained 27th spot in the season-long points race after opening the second FedExCup Playoff event with a two-under-par 68.<\/p>\n
Rory McIlroy, Americans Gary Woodland, JJ Spaun, Chris Gutterup and two-time US Open champion Wyndham Clark set the early pace with opening six-under 64s at the BMW Championship in Missouri.<\/p>\n
Japan’s Ryo Hisatune is solo fifth after firing a first-round 65.<\/p>\n
Only the top 30 players in the points race after the penultimate event will qualify for the $US40 million Tour Championship, which Scott won in 2006.<\/p>\n
Fellow Australian Min Woo Lee is also well positioned, despite dropping from 18th to 22nd after opening with a one-under 69 in St Louis.<\/p>\n
![\"Min](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/golf\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/50b9a1d7-921c-4a2f-bd29-8be9f1a1c66e.jpg\")
\n Min Woo Lee hits from the rough on the fourth hole during his opening 69. (AP PHOTO)<\/p>\n
McIlroy got the improved display he had demanded from himself after labouring to an eight-over finish at last week\u2019s St Jude Championship, where Scottie Scheffler coasted to victory.<\/p>\n
The world No.2 had admitted a positive display again at Bellerive would \u2018feel like a win\u2019.<\/p>\n
It has been a run of frustrating performances from the back-to-back Masters champion, who had returned to action in Memphis for the first time since he tied for 40th at The Open.<\/p>\n
McIlroy, though, showed signs of getting back into his groove as part of the early afternoon wave, with birdies at the fourth and then on eight to turn at two under.<\/p>\n
A fine tee shot on the par-three 13th then left the Northern Irishman to roll in a seven-foot putt and he picked up another shot following a lengthy drive on the 492-yard 15th.<\/p>\n
McIlroy – sitting 13th in the play-off standings and who is assured of making \u00a0the 30-man season-ending Tour Championship – continued his momentum to finish with successive birdies and sign for a welcome 64.<\/p>\n
\u201cI felt at least like I got myself back going in the right direction, and what I wanted to do with my swing, but still you never know when you turn up here,\u201d McIlroy said on the Golf Channel.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis golf course sets up a lot better for me than Memphis did last week. You can miss it a little bit off the tee, and the playing corridors are a lot wider, so you can get away with it, which I needed to get away with it a couple of times today.”<\/p>\n
World No.1 Scheffler had been in fine form last week with a final round of 66, but was soon slumped at the other end of the leaderboard after a run of four bogeys through the opening seven holes at Bellerive.<\/p>\n
The defending champion recovered a stroke heading into the turn but finished his round with a two-over 72.<\/p>\n
with PA<\/p>\n