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Aug. 21 (UPI) – Scottie Scheffler, Viktor Hovland, and Rory McIlroy have secured the top positions in the FedEx Cup standings as they head to the 2023 Tour Championship. The three golfers delivered outstanding performances at the BMW Championship, the second leg of the PGA Tour’s playoff format.
Hovland claimed victory at the BMW Championship by shooting a remarkable 9-under 61 in the final round, which took place at Olympia Fields Country Club in Olympia Fields, Illinois. This score set a new record for the lowest final round in FedEx Cup playoff history.
“To win at a prestigious venue like this, competing against the best players in the world, is a tremendous accomplishment,” Hovland expressed to the press. “And to do it in such a remarkable way, making seven birdies in the last nine holes and surpassing those exceptional golfers, is truly remarkable.”
Over the course of his final 18 holes, Hovland scored 10 birdies. He entered the day tied for fourth place, trailing behind Scheffler and Matt Fitzpatrick, who were co-leaders after the third round.
Hovland’s victory catapulted him from No. 7 to No. 2 in the FedEx Cup standings. He will tee off at this week’s Tour Championship with a score of 8-under par.
Scheffler finished tied for second at the BMW Championship, which propelled him from No. 2 to No. 1 in the FedEx Cup standings. He will begin the Tour Championship with a score of 10-under.
McIlroy finished fourth and maintained his third-place ranking in the FedEx Cup standings. He will start the Tour Championship with a score of 7-under. Jon Rahm, who was leading the FedEx Cup standings prior to the BMW Championship, tied for 31st place. Consequently, he dropped to No. 4 in the standings and will begin with a score of 6-under this week at East Lake Golf Course in Atlanta.
The 2023 Tour Championship will take place from Thursday to Sunday and will be broadcasted on CBS and Golf Channel. Lucas Glover (-5), Max Homa (-4), Patrick Cantlay (-4), Brian Harman (-4), Wyndham Clark (-4), and Matt Fitzpatrick (-4) are among the top 10 players who will be competing at East Lake.
Tommy Fleetwood (-3), Russell Henley (-3), Keegan Bradley (-3), Rickie Fowler (-3), Xander Schauffele (-3), Tom Kim (-2), Sungjae Im (-2), Tony Finau (-2), Corey Conners (-2), and Si Woo Kim (-2) are among the top 20 players who will be starting at the Tour Championship.
Taylor Moore (-1), Nick Taylor (-1), Adam Schenk (-1), Collin Morikawa (-1), Jason Day (-1), Sam Burns (E), Emiliano Grillo (E), Jordan Spieth (E), and Sepp Straka (E) made it to the top 30 qualifiers for East Lake.
The winner of the Tour Championship will take home a grand prize of $18 million. The runner-up and third-place finisher will receive $6.5 million and $5 million, respectively.
