BMW Championship Tee Times: Third Round Pairings Unveiled
The BMW Championship is set for its pivotal third round on Saturday, with the top golfers in the world vying for the FedExCup title. The tournament’s official tee times have been released, revealing the pairings for the pivotal day of action.
– Round 3 Pairing Preview: Contenders in Position
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Scheffler-Im in Featured Final Pairing
World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler and No. 2 Sungjae Im will play together in the final pairing of Saturday’s third round at Wilmington Country Club. The marquee group tees off at 3:05 p.m. ET. Scheffler fired an impressive bogey-free, 8-under 63 on Friday to surge into contention, while Im carded a 5-under 66 to reach 10 under for the tournament.
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Berger, Hovland in Chase Pack
Daniel Berger and Viktor Hovland, who are tied for third at 9 under, will tee off one group ahead of Scheffler and Im. Berger posted a 4-under 67 on Friday, while Hovland shot a 5-under 66. The pair will be looking to make a move on the leaders on Saturday.
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McIlroy, Finau Among Those Lurking
Rory McIlroy and Tony Finau, who are tied for fifth at 8 under, will play together in the third-to-last group on Saturday. McIlroy carded a 4-under 67 on Friday, while Finau shot a 5-under 66. Both players will be hoping to make a run at the leaders on the weekend.
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Other Notable Pairings
| 2:50 p.m. ET | Patrick Cantlay (-7) | Jon Rahm (-7) |
| 3:05 p.m. ET | Scottie Scheffler (-10) | Sungjae Im (-10) |
| 3:20 p.m. ET | Daniel Berger (-9) | Viktor Hovland (-9) |
| 3:35 p.m. ET | Rory McIlroy (-8) | Tony Finau (-8) |
– Strategy and Game Plan for Saturday Success
Strategy and Game Plan for Saturday Success
Early Birds Get the Advantage:
The early risers on Saturday will have the advantage of tackling the course under more favorable conditions. Players like Rory McIlroy and Jon Rahm, who tee off before 8:30 AM, could benefit from cooler temperatures and calmer winds. As the day progresses, both factors become more challenging, requiring a strategic approach to shot selection and club choice.
Mid-Morning Chaos:
The crowded mid-morning tee times will test the players’ patience and adaptability. With multiple groups on the course simultaneously, players will need to navigate potential traffic and distractions. Communication and coordination will be crucial to maintain pace and rhythm, especially on the more congested holes. Clever shot-making and risk-taking could be key to gaining an edge during this busy period.
Afternoon Assault:
As the sun reaches its peak, the temperature and wind intensity can amplify. Players teeing off around noon or later will face a formidable challenge in controlling ball trajectory and managing energy levels. Hydration, strategic rest stops, and a mental fortitude will be essential to weather the afternoon assault.
Late-Day Heroics:
The final wave of players, teeing off after 2 PM, will step onto the course as the conditions cool down slightly. However, the accumulated fatigue of the day can weigh heavily. Players who have conserved their energy and maintained focus throughout the previous rounds will have an advantage. A clutch shot or a decisive putt could propel them into contention heading into the final day.
– Late Risers and Potential Upsets
Late Risers and Potential Upsets
With the third round of the 2024 BMW Championship underway, several players who started the day outside the top 10 have made significant moves up the leaderboard.
Garcia and Finau Surge with Early Birdies
Overnight, Sergio Garcia and Tony Finau were tied for 15th place. However, a flurry of birdies on the front nine has propelled them up the standings. Garcia has birdied six of the first nine holes, while Finau has made four birdies. With the leaderboard congested, any early drop in form could open the door for the two charging Spaniards and Americans.
Thomas and Scheffler Chase:
World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler and No. 3 Justin Thomas have also made moves. Scheffler started the day in a tie for 10th, but three birdies on the front nine have him in contention. Thomas, who was tied for 16th, has also birdied three of the first nine holes. While these two major winners are still in the chasing pack, their recent form suggests they could make a late charge.
Potential Leaderboard Shake-up:
With several big names starting the day near the top of the leaderboard, any of these late risers could shake things up. If Garcia, Finau, Scheffler, or Thomas can maintain their current pace, it could force the leaders to make mistakes and open the door for an upset victory.
– Key Groups and Tee Times to Watch
Key Groups and Tee Times to Watch
11:45 AM ET
Scottie Scheffler and Patrick Cantlay
Jon Rahm and Will Zalatoris
Rory McIlroy and Cameron Smith
This is the marquee group of the day, featuring the world’s top-ranked player in Scheffler, the defending FedExCup champion in Cantlay, and two of the game’s brightest young stars in Rahm and Zalatoris. All four players are in contention for the BMW Championship title, and this group should provide plenty of fireworks.
12:00 PM ET
Justin Thomas and Xander Schauffele
Tony Finau and Max Homa
Sam Burns and Billy Horschel
This group is a mix of established stars and rising talents. Thomas and Schauffele are both former major champions, while Finau and Homa have both won multiple PGA TOUR events this season. Burns and Horschel are both in contention for a spot on the U.S. Ryder Cup team, and they will be looking to make a statement in this group.
12:15 PM ET
Viktor Hovland and Shane Lowry
Matt Fitzpatrick and Hideki Matsuyama
Collin Morikawa and Sungjae Im
This group features some of the most consistent players on the PGA TOUR. Hovland, Lowry, Fitzpatrick, Matsuyama, Morikawa, and Im have all won multiple PGA TOUR events in recent years, and they are all capable of contending for the BMW Championship title.
12:30 PM ET
Tom Hoge and Aaron Wise
Christiaan Bezuidenhout and Corey Conners
Cameron Tringale and Harris English
This group is a mix of underdogs and dark horses. Hoge and Wise are both in the top 50 in the world rankings, but they have never won a PGA TOUR event. Bezuidenhout and Conners are both rising stars from South Africa and Canada, respectively. Tringale and English are both former PGA TOUR winners, but they have not been in contention for a major title in recent years.
As the BMW Championship approaches its final round, the leaderboard is closely contested, with several players in contention for the title. The final pairings will provide an exciting climax to the tournament, with the world’s best golfers battling it out for victory.
