Adam Scott sets new course record after shooting 63 during round 2 of the BMW Championship

Adam Scott surged into a commanding position at the BMW Championship with a stellar 9-under 63 on Friday, marking his lowest score of the year and securing a three-shot lead heading into the weekend.

Ryder Cup captain Keegan Bradley stayed within striking distance despite making his first bogey of the week on the 18th hole at Castle Pines, finishing with a 68. Scott, who first played at Castle Pines as a 20-year-old on a sponsor exemption, enjoyed newfound freedom with his top-50 FedEx Cup ranking. This status ensures him a spot in next year’s $20 million signature events, alleviating the need for sponsor exemptions.

Holding a 36-hole lead, Scott is poised to not only aim for a high finish but also to secure a place in the Tour Championship at East Lake and ensure his participation in all the major tournaments next year.

“I just wanted to keep moving in the right direction, shoot under par, and keep going,” Scott said. “By the middle of the round, I started thinking about how many birdies I could make. It’s funny how that happens.”

Scott’s relaxed mindset, with no risk of dropping out of the top 50, has shifted his focus to winning the event. However, the tournament is far from over.

Rory McIlroy, who was 10 shots back after a 71, expressed frustration by tossing his 3-wood into the water after a poor drive on the 17th. Denny McCarthy’s bid to secure a top-30 spot was hampered by a double bogey on two of the last five holes.

Surprisingly, the leaderboard, which extended 20 names deep, did not feature Scottie Scheffler or Xander Schauffele. Scheffler, after starting with two birdies, struggled with a double bogey and finished with a 72, 12 shots behind. Schauffele, also starting strong, faltered with four bogeys in his final six holes, carding a 73 and ending 11 shots off the lead.

Scheffler noted that his back felt normal compared to the first round but acknowledged a decline in performance. Schauffele admitted to struggling with his game.

Both Scheffler and Schauffele are expected to remain the top two seeds heading into East Lake.

Scott, with a 13-under 131 total, has a significant advantage, although Ludvig Åberg matched Scott’s 63 and is four shots behind. Scott played early, setting a challenging target for Åberg, who was 11 shots behind at the start of his round.

“It was funny walking down one of the first couple of holes,” Åberg said. “We talked about it yesterday that we could see a low score, and fortunately, it was us today.”

Alex Noren, with a 68, is five shots back, still in contention for a top-30 finish to advance to East Lake for the first time in his career.

For those struggling to make the top 30, there are additional concerns. Justin Thomas, after rounds of 76-72, was projected at No. 31, while Jason Day, following a 78 and a 69, remained outside the top 30.

Scott’s exceptional iron play and putting have been key to his performance. He made nine birdies, with only three inside 10 feet, and only faced serious trouble once, on the par-3 fourth, where he made a crucial par-saving flop shot.

Scott contemplated pushing for a 62 on the 18th but opted for a more conservative approach, aiming left and hoping for a long putt. “It’s fun to shoot a low round. I can’t remember the last time I shot 63 out here,” Scott said.