BMW Championship report: What happened at Medinah?
In a dramatic final round, Justin Thomas excelled under pressure to convert his 54-hole lead and seal a three-shot victory over Patrick Cantlay.
The American backed-up his course record 61 on Saturday with a 68 on Sunday to finish on a total of 25-under-par and win his first PGA Tour title since August last year – his longest dry spell since breaking his duck at the 2015 CIMB Classic.
One last twirl.@JustinThomas34 has a three shot lead playing the 72nd hole.#QuickHits pic.twitter.com/5J69RBk3gA
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) August 18, 2019
He opened with a bogey on the first hole and began the back-nine in the same way, but with six birdies also on the card they held little significance.
Coming down the stretch, Thomas leaned on his previous winning experience and played sensible and solid golf, finding greens and generally avoiding any troublesome areas.
Soft touch.@JustinThomas34 moves to 4-under.
The lead remains three.#QuickHits pic.twitter.com/rbvsiMqar9
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) August 18, 2019
Cantlay, who was playing in the final group alongside Thomas was the nearest challenger and also had two blemishes on the card.
Things could have been even better for the 27-year-old had a couple more putts dropped on the back-nine – an eagle putt that slipped by on 15 was a particularly big moment.
Patrick Cantlay drove the green at 15.
His eagle try just missed.
He's three back with three to go.#QuickHits pic.twitter.com/U1uZH57zbM
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) August 18, 2019
He did have nine birdies to his name on Sunday and a solo second sees him head into next weekend’s finale in a strong position.
Elsewhere, Jon Rahm, Tony Finau and Adam Scott all had good weeks making it into the top 10.
The latter of the trio has been airing his thoughts this week on the golf courses played on the PGA Tour, Mark Townsend will have some more on that for you.
- Final BMW Championship leaderboard
- BMW Championship prize money
- How the FedEx Cup works
- What’s in JT’s bag?
BMW Championship report: Who played their way into the Tour Championship?
Hideki Matsuyama carded a brilliant final round of 9-under-par to qualify for his sixth consecutive Tour Championship, but a bogey at 16 all but ended his shot at victory this week.
6⃣3⃣
Hideki Matsuyama records his second 9-under round of the week at Medinah. 🎌
He needed just 20 putts on Sunday. 🙌#LiveUnderPar pic.twitter.com/siEyGshE5j
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) August 18, 2019
The Japanese star has enjoyed a nice return to form towards the end of this season and took just 20 putts on Sunday, which added a Sunday 63 to his Friday 63.
Jason Kokrak left it late to book his place at East Lake, needing a birdie at the last to slip into the 30th spot and of course, he did just that.
His grand finish will have left a sour taste in the mouth of Kevin Tway who was bumped outside of the qualification places into 31st place.
Finally, Lucas Glover also moved inside the top 30 thanks to yet another top-10 finish.
The American who regained his PGA Tour card through the Korn Ferry finals prior to this season has had a magnificent year and is deserving of his finale place.
He's in.@Lucas_Glover_ has punched his ticket to the @playofffinale.#QuickHits pic.twitter.com/dxIxS7n3Ho
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) August 18, 2019
BMW Championship report: How will the Tour Championship leaderboard look?
For this year’s finals, the PGA Tour has installed a new format which will see the FedEx Cup standings leader start at 10-under-par.
There will be a two shot gap to the next player and from there, there will be one-shot differences between players in certain ranking positions until level-par is reached.
Here’s how it will look:
-10: Justin Thomas
-8: Patrick Cantlay
-7: Brooks Koepka
-6: Patrick Reed
-5: Rory McIlroy
-4: Matt Kuchar, Webb Simpson, Jon Rahm, Xander Schauffele, Abraham Ancer
-3: Gary Woodland, Adam Scott, Tony Finau, Dustin Johnson, Hideki Matsuyama
-2: Brandt Snedeker, Rickie Fowler, Kevin Kisner, Paul Casey, Justin Rose
-1: Tommy Fleetwood, Sungjae Im, Corey Conners, Chez Reavie, Marc Leishman
Level-par: Louis Oosthuizen, Charles Howell III, Lucas glover, Jason Kokrak, Bryson DeChambeau
BMW Championship report: What the winner said
New #FedExCup leader @JustinThomas34 discusses the emotions of winning the @BMWchamps. https://t.co/FHExalSUST
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) August 18, 2019
BMW Championship report: Talking points
For a moment on Sunday morning, it looked as if Phil Mickelson would be missing his final-round tee time.
The hotel in which the American was staying in was struck by lightning, which in turn led to a fire and the building being evacuated.
How’s this for crazy? My hotel was struck by lighting, I was on top floor,we were evacuated and the place is on fire(only thing of mine on fire this week.) I can’t get back into my room and may miss my tee time because I am without clubs and clothes.
— Phil Mickelson (@PhilMickelson) August 18, 2019
In a very modern Mickelson way, he informed his Twitter followers first and let us know that he may not be able to make the Sunday tee time due to his clubs and clothes being inside the building.
All was fine and dandy in the end as Mickelson arrived at Medinah in time, and had a very relatable warm-up.
Changing into golf shoes in the car park, hitting a few balls and straight off to the tee – we’ve all been there, Phil.
Phil Mickelson is at Medinah. Pulled in at 10:15 local. Arrived in flip flops and put his spikes on in the parking lot. Took a couple swings with a training aid and went to the range. He’s off 10 tee in 30 minutes. pic.twitter.com/H3WP2tKHz7
— Nick Menta (@NickMentaGC) August 18, 2019
It’s no exaggeration that his Twitter followers were the first to know about the situation, just ask his family…
Bro-you can’t tweet this stuff until AFTER you call Mom to tell her you’re ok. 🤦♀️😂 Just spoke with her. Btw….call her. She would like ‘a word.’
— Tina Mickelson (@TinaMickelson) August 18, 2019
**
Tiger Woods finished his week in a tie for 37th and with that comes the end of his 2019 FedEx Cup Play-offs journey.
The Masters champion confirmed before leaving Medinah that he was all but done for 2019, but will be teeing it up in Japan in October for the Zozo Championship.
Tiger calls season “very special.” “Some of the tournaments I didn’t play as well as I wanted to, but I’ve got the green jacket.”
— Tiger Tracker (@GCTigerTracker) August 18, 2019
After that, it’s the Presidents Cup, where Tiger will captain the American side, but it is not yet confirmed whether he will be there in a playing capacity, too.
Talking of the Presidents Cup, we now know the first eight players who will be representing the USA and International sides.
The top 8 in the International and U.S. standings have officially earned a spot in the @PresidentsCup.#LiveUnderPar pic.twitter.com/q8IViJVvvR
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) August 18, 2019
The top eight players in each of the respective standings following the conclusion of this week’s event automatically have their place in Melbourne sealed.
Woods and rival captain Ernie Els will each select four captain’s picks to complete the teams.
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