Rory McIlroy makes quick turnaround for 5-way share of the lead at BMW as ailing Scheffler fades

ST. LOUIS (AP) – Rory McIlroy might not be as far away as he thought four days ago, playing bogey-free at Bellerive for a 6-under 64 that offered him a share of the lead Thursday in the BMW Championship with three other U.S.

What happened

Four days brought a major change for Scottie Scheffler, too. The world's No. 1 player went from an eight-shot victory in the postseason opener to feeling under the weather and having to rally for a 72, his highest opening round since the U.S. Open in June.

Scheffler's voice was hoarse when he remarked he didn't want to stop to talk, saying only that he was sick as he headed for the locker room.

McIlroy returned from a four-week break after the British Open with plenty of rust and particularly little golf and failed to break par in any of the four rounds for the first time in more than five years at the FedEx St. Jude Championship.

The bottom line

For now, rory McIlroy makes quick turnaround for 5-way share of the lead at remains the part of the story worth watching, and further updates are likely as more details are confirmed.