Rory McIlroy and Brian Harman share lead at BMW Championship after 5-under 65 on day one at Olympia Fields

Rory McIlroy and Brian Harman are joint leaders in the BMW Championship after a soggy day at Olympia Fields.

McIlroy found the short grass just six times with 18 tee shots – three of them on par 3s – and no one would have guessed that looking at his card.

He played bogey-free for a 5-under 65, earning him a share of the lead with British Open champion Harman in the second FedEx Cup playoff event.

“To hit just three fairways today and get to 65 is a bit of a bonus,” said McIlroy.

The greens were so soft from a two-hour rain delay in the morning that McIlroy realized it was easier to get to the cones from the rough because the ball wouldn’t have as much spin.

“I’m not saying I was aiming for the rough,” he said with a smile.

And certainly where he was on the par-4 17th wasn’t ideal. He had only 116 yards left on the 456 yard hole, but he had a group of trees blocking his path to the green, a large bunker in front of the putting surface.

He hit 7 iron through a gap in the branches, just over the bunker, just over the green and then chipped in for bird. It was such a day.

“There were some branches above the window that I was looking at, and I was like, ‘If he hits those, he’s just going to fall down at that front left bunker and I’ve got a decent angle on the green and got a 10- footer or less to save par,” he said.

“It was a bit of a hit and run. I’m just trying to thread that needle. It was either take it out or take it. And it’s only Thursday.

“I thought, ‘What the heck? I’ll take it on and see what happens.'”

Harman, who returned from his British Open title during last week’s FedEx Cup playoff opener with some rust, showed his excitement towards the end of the round. He holed a 12-yard birdie putt on the par-3 16th, then chipped for a birdie on the 17th.

They were one shot away from a large group at 66, including Scottie Scheffler, Matt Fitzpatrick, Sahith Theegala and Rickie Fowler, a good start for several reasons.

Brian Harman also shot a 5-under 65 to lead the chasing pack with Illinois McIlroy

Scheffler had one nine months without finishing worse than 12th, and then went outside the top 20 for consecutive weeks because his putting was a struggle. It was nice to see them have a chance. Fowler has a shot at one of six automatic spots on the US Ryder Cup team by winning.

As for Fitzpatrick and Theegala, it’s about being among the top 30 in the FedEx Cup after this week to advance to the FedEx Cup Finals in East Lake.

Fitzpatrick is No. 40 and needs a good finish to clinch the Tour Championship and salvage a disappointing year. Last year’s US Open champion beat Jordan Spieth in a playoff at Hilton Head, but he has one top 10 in his last nine starts that has seen his FedEx Cup status plummeted.

Collin Morikawa and Cameron Young were among the 67-year-olds, both trying to improve their Ryder Cup stock. Jon Rahm, two-time defending champion Patrick Cantlay and Jordan Spieth were on 68. Lucas Glover, on his way to his third win in as many weeks, shot 70.