Hideki Matsuyama Withdraws from BMW Championship Amidst Intense Competition

Japanese golfer Hideki Matsuyama exited the BMW Championship with a back injury. Sungjae Im and Si Woo Kim stay within the top 10, while Adam Scott leads with a 13-under total. Key players keep their top-30 projections for the Tour Championship.

Japanese star Hideki Matsuyama withdrew from the BMW Championship's second round on Friday due to a lower back injury. The Korean duo of Sungjae Im and Si Woo Kim remained steadfast in the top 10 of the leaderboard during the penultimate tournament of the 2024 FedExCup Playoffs. Matsuyama, who clinched the FedEx St. Jude Championship last week, started his campaign at Castle Pines Golf Club in Colorado with a commendable 67 on Thursday before his premature exit from the $20 million event.

Australia's Adam Scott delivered an extraordinary 63 at the course where he first debuted on the PGA TOUR 24 years ago, taking a three-shot lead over the initial round leader, Keegan Bradley, who posted a 68. Sweden's Ludvig Aberg matched Scott's score with a 63, securing solo third position, four strokes off the lead. Both Indian-Americans, Akshay Bhatia (72-68) and Sahith Theegala (73-71), are projected to stay in the Top-30 for the Tour Championships, with Bhatia now tied at 10th and Theegala at 32nd. Aaron Rai (74-70), currently tied at 32nd, is projected to be 25th, placing him in a favorable position for the Tour Championship.

World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler (71-72) is tied at 29th, and Rory McIlroy (70-71) holds the 15th position. Korean golfer Sungjae Im scored a 70, bringing his tournament total to 6-under, tied for sixth place with six birdies countered by four bogeys. Im is projected to maintain his standing in 10th place on the FedExCup points list as he gears up for his sixth consecutive appearance in the TOUR Championship, limited to the top 30 players. (ANI)

(With inputs from agencies.)