Caves Valley Course Proves a Stiff Test at BMW Championship Return
After a three-year hiatus, the BMW Championship has returned to Caves Valley Golf Club, but this year’s edition presents a dramatically different challenge than the 2021 tournament. Renovations to the course, including the conversion of two par-5s into par-4s, have significantly increased the difficulty, resulting in higher scores across the board during Thursday’s opening round of the FedEx Cup Playoffs’ second leg.
In 2021, Caves Valley yielded remarkably low scores. The first round saw three players tied for the lead at 8-under par, with a total of 15 players at 5-under or better. Ultimately, a score of 27-under was required to even qualify for a playoff. Not a single player finished the week over par.
This year, the story is markedly different. Several top players struggled, posting scores well above their usual standards. Akshay Bhatia carded a 5-over 75, marking his worst round relative to par since the U.S. Open. Xander Schauffele’s 74 was his highest opening round since the Arnold Palmer Invitational in March. Even Patrick Cantlay, the defending champion at Caves Valley, shot a 2-over par round, a stark contrast to his performance in 2021 where he shot 6-under or better in all four rounds, including a 66 on Thursday.
The increased difficulty can be attributed to several factors, including the course’s substantial length – a daunting 7,600 yards. Additionally, the greens feature added slope, making them particularly challenging to navigate.
“They’re tricky,” said Rory McIlroy after an even-par round of 70. “There’s a lot of slope to them. They’re quite fast, and when it’s like that, matching line and speed is pretty tricky.”
However, the rain delay on Thursday provided a temporary reprieve for those finishing their rounds later in the day. The softened greens offered a slight advantage.
“I think you’ll see a few with the greens being a little slower and softer here, you’ll probably see guys hole a few more putts just because the rain sort of takes the nuance out of the greens a little bit,” McIlroy predicted.
McIlroy’s observation proved accurate. Robert MacIntyre capitalized on the softer greens, carding seven birdies on his back nine, including an impressive six in a row, to seize the solo lead at 8-under par.
McCarthy Aims for Tour Championship Berth
Maryland native Denny McCarthy is looking to make a strong push to qualify for the Tour Championship. Currently ranked 38th in the FedEx Cup standings, McCarthy needs to climb into the top 30 after this week’s competition to secure his spot.
McCarthy relied heavily on his putting to post an even-par 70 in the opening round. While improvement is needed in the coming days, a top-30 finish remains a realistic goal after a solid start that placed him in a tie with McIlroy, among others.
A significant challenge for McCarthy will be managing the intense heat. He revealed that he consumed approximately ten hydration packets during his round, took a cold plunge and changed clothes during the rain delay, and rotated between about eight gloves to maintain a secure grip.
“Pretty pleased with how I played today,” McCarthy said. “It’s really hot. It’s really gross out. Just got to maintain my energy levels, hydration, be eating on the course. Sometimes I don’t eat that much, but I’ve got to — it’s sneaky really hot out there and it’s a tough walk.”
Scheffler Battles Lanternflies and Competition
World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler was among the few players who successfully tamed the challenging course on Thursday. He started strong with birdies on three of his first four holes and finished with birdies on three of his final four. Despite a less impressive stretch in the middle of the round, his 4-under 66 places him firmly in contention for his 18th career victory.
However, Scheffler faced an unexpected nuisance this week: spotted lanternflies. The invasive insects are abundant in Maryland this summer, and Caves Valley is no exception.
One volunteer on the 11th hole even showed fans a photo of lanternflies, urging them to eliminate the pests whenever possible to protect local plants.
“I’m not usually bloodthirsty,” she joked, “but this is different.”
Scheffler’s outdoor press conference on Wednesday was briefly interrupted when he noticed one on his leg.
“What is that?” the Texas native asked.
After being informed about the invasive lanternfly and advised to stomp on it, Scheffler complied with a grin. He encountered another lanternfly on the driving range before his tee time Thursday, but remained unfazed, focused on his game.
A two-time major winner this season, Scheffler appears unflappable. If anything can disrupt his focus, perhaps it’s these pesky insects. Unless, of course, he continues to handle them with the same decisiveness he displays on the course.
Crowd Intensity and Player Mix-Ups
The Baltimore crowd is known for its enthusiasm, and the 2021 BMW Championship, which featured a six-hole playoff, is remembered for its lively atmosphere. More than 130,000 fans attended that week.
However, Thursday’s excitement also led to some instances of mistaken identity. Harry Hall, sporting a flat cap, caused some confusion among fans who thought they were seeing a familiar face.
Was Bryson DeChambeau back on the PGA Tour? Unfortunately, no. DeChambeau remains a member of the LIV Tour, but Hall’s similar cap style evoked memories of DeChambeau’s early career.
Hall played well, carding a 2-under 68 to put himself in contention for the second round.
Poston Flies Solo
Sepp Straka’s withdrawal from the tournament earlier in the week resulted in an uneven field of 49 players, requiring one player to compete alone each day. J.T. Poston drew the short straw on Thursday and will again on Friday. As the first golfer to tee off, Poston completed his round quickly.
After finishing the 10th hole, a volunteer informed fans that “another golfer won’t be through here for at least 30 minutes,” surprising some spectators.
Poston, who teed off at 9:21 a.m., finished his first round in just 3 1/2 hours. He shot a 2-over 72, placing him outside the projected top 30. Starting the week ranked 50th in the FedEx Cup standings, Poston faces an uphill battle to advance.