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OLYMPIA FIELDS, In poor health. — Max Homa was conscious of the course file at Olympia Fields, and never simply due to how effectively he was taking part in Friday within the BMW Championship. He occurred to see a video board simply because it flashed a message that Chris Kirk was difficult the course file of 63.
“Simply randomly noticed that as we speak, after which I had to consider it,” Homa stated.
Homa broke the file even with two bogeys, making 10 birdies in his spherical of 8-under 62 that gave him a two-shot lead over Kirk (66) going into the weekend of the FedEx Cup postseason occasion that determines who goes to Tour Championship.
That is extra a difficulty for Kirk than Homa, who already has two wins this season and is assured of being among the many 30 who go to East Lake. Not so for Kirk, who delivered a heartwarming win on the Honda Basic however is on the bubble at No. 29 to achieve the FedEx Cup finale.
Kirk by no means actually challenged the course file, closing with 5 pars. He nonetheless performed a strong spherical off the tee and from the green, a very good recipe for an Olympia Fields course that has been drenched by rain and is slowly drying out.
“Immediately was a kind of days the place I shot 4 below however it actually may have been decrease than that with all of the birdie seems to be that I had,” Kirk stated. “However I actually would have taken it at first of the day. I would gladly take two extra of them.”
Homa was at 10-under 130.
British Open champion Brian Harman (68) and former U.S. Open champion Matt Fitzpatrick (67) have been three photographs behind. Fitzpatrick is No. 40 within the FedEx Cup and would advance with an awesome weekend.
The group at 5-under 135 included Scottie Scheffler (69) and Rory McIlroy, who made just one birdie in his spherical of 70. It additionally included Harris English and Justin Rose, who’ve a lot using on the end result this weekend.
English narrowly acquired into the highest 50 that made it to the BMW. Even in a tie for fifth going into the weekend, he nonetheless has work to do to crack the highest 30 and go to East Lake.
“Final week was in all probability probably the most traumatic as a result of I understand how key getting within the prime 50 for subsequent yr was,” English stated, alluding to the $20 million signature occasions he will get to play. “I really feel like this week is form of a bonus, form of taking part in with home cash, and undoubtedly extra relaxed this week, and simply form of free wheeling it.”
Homa’s spherical was three photographs higher than the subsequent finest on Friday, and there have been no secrets and techniques to it. His placing has been sturdy all yr. The important thing at Olympia Fields was being within the fairway to have the ability to assault pins as an alternative of getting to play towards the middle of the inexperienced.
Six of his 10 birdies have been within the 12-foot vary or shut, and the others have been terribly longer. Homa knew he was on a roll when he reached the par-3 sixteenth tee and realized he had birdied each gap however one on the again 9.
After which have been was the poor child carrying the scoreboard along with his group.
“Typically you are simply zoning, however I knew I used to be making loads,” Homa stated. “I heard the usual bearer say one thing about how he is getting drained as a result of he needed to change the numbers on our factor a lot.”
Tom Hoge had a 69, noteworthy as a result of he had the longest day. Hoge was within the final group with Hideki Matsuyama, who withdrew earlier than the ultimate spherical with a foul again. Matsuyama was at No. 47 and can miss the Tour Championship for the primary time on the PGA Tour. It additionally meant Hoge performed as a single behind the opposite 48 gamers.
Homa had a powerful end within the FedEx Cup playoffs opener final week that nudged him in entrance of Xander Schauffele to No. 6 within the Ryder Cup standings. That is the ultimate week of qualifying and the highest six earn computerized spots. He may lock that up this week, a purpose of his all yr.
“All that clearly takes some nice golf. You are taking part in towards lots of nice gamers,” Homa stated. “It has been enjoyable protecting that purpose in thoughts. Since you’re competing towards the perfect Individuals, which is a tall activity.”
Lucas Glover, a winner the final two weeks, had a 67 and was seven behind in a tie for thirteenth, at the least staying within the dialog for the Ryder Cup.
Jon Rahm took a step backward. Coming off every week wherein he completed 10 photographs behind, he didn’t make a birdie his spherical of 74 that left him 13 photographs behind. Rahm received at Olympia Fields in 2020 on a course so baked out that 4-under par acquired him in a playoff.
It is a completely different course, at the least for now. It’s anticipated to be dry the remainder of the week.
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