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Max Homa with an Olympia Fields north course record , takes the lead at the BMW Championship.
MAX HOMA was on fire.
Because Homa made what what seems like miles of putts on the Olympia Fields North Course in route to a course record 62.
Homa (-10) now holds a two shot lead over Chris Kirk, and by three shots over Matt Fitzpatrick and British Open Champion Brian Harman who are at 7 under par.
The Olympia Fields North Course record of 63, was held by three players. Two of them Rickie Fowler and Thomas Detry both did it in college during the Fighting Illinois Golf Classic.
But Vijay Singh accomplished it during the 2003 U.S. Open. But while Singh had the low round of the week 20 years ago, it was Jim Furyk who won his first major championship.
FIVE PLAYERS are five shots back including Fowler,. But the group includes Scottie Scheffler and Rory McIlroy. McIlroy had a tremendous par save on 18, after hooking his drive into the trees. But the 505 yard par 4 ( that plays as a par 5 for the members), saw McIlroy hit an 8-Iron from 192 yards onto the green.
While the last two BMW Championships have been held at other courses (2021 Caves Valley-2022 Wilmington CC), two time defending champion Patrick Cantlay is 6 shots back at 4 under par after a second consecutive 68.
Triple-decker skybox suites have packed in the patrons the first two days.
Fitzpatrick who know sits T-3, said he knows he has to finish Top 5, to make Atlanta and the Tour Championship next week.
But for Homa, he feels like he needs to win. Because Homa wants to receive and automatic selection to be on the Ryder Cup team in Italy. So he admitted that-that, has been weighing on his mind.
One group that had the largest following of the day, was the Scheffler and Jon Rahm group. But while Scheffler picked up one shot with a (69). Rahm shot a 4-over par 74, and now is well back in the field. Rahm is in a tie for 35th place.
Lucas Glover who has been the hottest golfer on tour the last couple of weeks. Glover has recorded with back-to-back wins in Wilmington and in the first playoff tournament in Memphis. Started climbing back up the leaderboard with 3 under par 67, and sits in 13th place.
Harman with a victory would be the latest golfer to win the “Illinois Slam.” The Illinois Slam is earned with wins in both the John Deere Classic, and the BMW Championship. When the tournament it is actually in the Chicago area. Because this year marks the only year the BMW will be played in the Chicago area, in a seven year stretch.
Kirk and Sam Burns are currently holding the final two spots to play in next weeks Tour Championship. Sahith Theegala and Justin Rose are at positions 31 and 32, and needing a strong weekend to move up into the top 30.
Hidecki Matsuyama had to withdraw from the championship before Round 2. Matsuyama said he injured his back during Round 1.
Seamus Power is first out Saturday morning for Round 3. Power will be a single because of Matsuyama’s withdrawal. Leaders Homa and Kirk tee off at 12:50 for round three.