FedExCup update: Freed-up Adam Scott turns back clock at BMW Championship

CASTLE PINES VILLAGE, Colo. – Adam Scott has changed irons (four times), his golf ball (twice) and his shafts and grips (more times than he can count), all with the hope of having a day like Friday.

See Scott, 44, is keenly aware of his position in pro golf. He was once the 21-year-old phenom who was getting faster, stronger and more motivated by the week. His PGA TOUR debut came at Castle Pines Golf Club 24 years ago as a 20-year-old when the club hosted The International. Now he watches those younger guys, knowing if he stays static, he will get passed by.

But days like Friday, a bogey-free course-record 63, keep Scott believing he’s still got a lot left in the tank.

“It's been a long time. I can't remember the last time I shot a 63 out here,” said Scott, 13-under and the leader by two strokes over Keegan Bradley. Ludvig Åberg tied Scott's 63 later in the day. “But it feels good to go low, that I've still got that in me. Hopefully, there's one more this week.”

It helps that he feels free. He admitted last Sunday at TPC Southwind “was quite stressful.” He had spent much of the season around the top-50 bubble and knew just a shot or two separated him from either outcome. A final-round 67 kept his season alive.

Now, he’s playing with a “free run,” trying to extend his season one more week. Through two rounds at Castle Pines, he’s doing a lot more than that. He is the favorite to win, poised to capture his first PGA TOUR victory since the 2020 Genesis Invitational and just his second in eight years. He’s projected to move to fourth in the FedExCup.

Scott hoped this was coming. He finished runner-up to Robert MacIntyre at the Genesis Scottish Open, one shot away from a playoff. If not for MacIntyre’s miraculous eagle from the heather on 16 or his 22-foot birdie at the last hole, Scott might’ve already snapped the drought. He finished T10 at The Open Championship and notched another top-20 in Memphis. It’s a reversal in his ball striking which he called “atrocious” over the last two years. The latest switch in irons, which he made for the Scottish Open and returned to this week, has played a big role.

“It felt like good swings came out not how they should,” he said, “and there were just a few inconsistencies throughout the set.

“I think I'm finding what is best for me,” he continued. “That's for sure. Unsurprisingly, it's pretty much what I used to use my whole career. It was all with good intention of getting better, but I think I'm in a good place. At this point, my swing DNA and my equipment is kind of part of me, and I don't think I can move too far away from that.”

Projected in

Adam Scott (No. 41, projected to No. 4): The Australian needs a two-way T20 at minimum the BMW, and likely more, to move inside the top 30 and qualify for his 13th TOUR Championship. After a second-round 63, he’s eying a victory more than the bubble.

Keegan Bradley (No. 50, projected to No. 11): After sweating out the bubble in Memphis to earn the final spot in the 50-player BMW field, he opened in 6-under 66 at Castle Pines to move inside the projected top 30 in style. A Friday 68 and he's flying high in solo second.

Alex Noren (No. 45, projected to No. 23): The Swede needs a solo 14th at minimum for a chance to qualify for his first TOUR Championship, and he’s well on his way after back-to-back 68s.

Corey Conners (No. 33, projected to No. 27): The Canadian’s motivation this week is twofold, vying for his fifth TOUR Championship appearance and to secure an automatic spot on the International Presidents Cup Team – he’s No. 7 on the standings, on which the top six after the BMW will qualify. He had an eventful front nine featuring an eagle, three birdies and three bogeys. He parred every hole on the back to shoot 70.

Projected out

Justin Thomas (No. 22, projected to No. 31): It’s a precipitous fall for Thomas, who has not played well through two days. After entering the Playoffs at No. 16 in the rankings, almost assured of returning to the TOUR Championship, the two-time major winner is in need of a bounce-back weekend to make it to Atlanta.

Jason Day (No. 25, projected to No. 34): The Aussie opened in 6-over 78, but battled back with 68 on Friday. He’ll need to continue to rally (a la Max Greyserman at TPC Southwind) to hang onto his top-30 position.

Davis Thompson (No. 26, projected to No. 37): The second-year TOUR pro, who broke through for his first title at the John Deere Classic, is 6-over through two rounds at the BMW, projected well outside the top 30.

Denny McCarthy (No. 30, projected to No. 38): McCarthy rode the bubble at last year’s BMW before finishing No. 33 on the FedExCup; he looks to avoid the same fate. McCarthy shot 2-over 74 on Friday.