Cal Golf: Collin Morikawa, Max Homa Off to Good Starts at BMW in FedEx Playoffs

Morikawa plays bogey-free golf and is just 2 strokes off the pace; Homa one stroke further back.

Collin Morikawa played bogey-free golf, shooting a 3-under 67 on Thursday to sit in a the for ninth place at the BMW Championship, second leg of the three-week FedEx Cup playoffs.

Morikawa is two strokes off the lead, shared by Rory McIlroy and Brian Harman, both of whom shot 65s. Six players, including Scottie Scheffler, are tied for fourth place after shooting 66s.

Morikawa’s fellow Cal grad Max Homa is one stroke further back after a 68 that has him tied for 12th place.

Byeong Hun An, the third Cal golfer among 50 playing this week, is tied for 23rd place after shooting an even-par 70.

Golfers this week at Olympia Fields Country Club in Illinois are positioning themselves to finish the weekend in the top 30 of the FedEx Cup standings.

Homa, who entered the week at No. 7 in the FedEx rankings, needs only to avoid a collapse to advance to the Tour Championship in Atlanta, where golfers will be battling for the $18 million first-prize in the season-ending event. His updated projected ranking was No. 6.

Morikawa was in 22nd place entering play Thursday and now is projected to be at No. 15. But An has some work to do — he was at No. 38 and will need to make a jump to keep his season alive.

Morikawa had birdies on Nos. 1, 12 and 15 and avoided posting any bogeys. He is tied with Cameron Young and Corey Conners.

Homa had birdies on 3, 4 and 17 along with a bogey on No.6. He shares the spot with some famous company, including Jon Rahm, Jordan Spieth and Patrick Cantlay.

Cover photo of Collin Morikawa by Kyle Terada, USA Today

Follow Jeff Faraudo of Cal Sports Report on Twitter: @jefffaraudo