Watch: Rory McIlroy throws driver into water after day of frustration in the BMW Championship

Adam Scott surged to the top of the leaderboard at the BMW Championship in Denver, while Rory McIlroy struggled with his game. The Australian veteran, now 44, delivered a stunning round, setting a new course record with a nine-under 63 at Castle Pines. Scott made an impressive 125 feet of putts, including 12 single-putts, to establish a commanding five-shot lead in the clubhouse at 13-under par. Sweden’s Alex Noren trailed him by five shots.

Scott, who won the Masters in 2013, needs to finish no worse than solo seventh to secure a spot in the top 30 for next week’s Tour Championship. Currently projected to jump to fourth place, just behind Hideki Matsuyama, who withdrew due to a lower back injury, Scott is confident in his putting, which has been a key factor in his success.

“I can play fairly conservatively and choose my moments, and if I keep putting well, that helps a lot,” Scott said. “Putting a little better than average goes a long way out here.”
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On the other hand, McIlroy continued to struggle on the greens, losing strokes for the second consecutive day. He managed just one putt from outside eight feet, adding a one-under 71 to his opening 70, leaving him 10 strokes behind Scott at three-under-par. His frustration boiled over when he threw his driver into the water after a poor tee shot on the 17th hole.

Meanwhile, Shane Lowry, who has already secured his spot at East Lake for next week, rebounded from a disappointing first-round 75. He made six birdies in a five-under 67, placing him just one shot behind McIlroy at two-under.