Gamers described Wilmington Nation Membership in the identical vein as Caves Valley, final 12 months’s BMW Championship venue, so it ought to come as no shock that Patrick Cantlay finds himself atop the leaderboard after 54 holes of play. The defending champion will not be placing the ball as he did a 12 months in the past in Baltimore, however he’s getting across the golf course in an equally efficient method.

The reigning FedEx Cup champion stands alone at 12 beneath and one stroke away from his good pal and enjoying competitor the primary three days, Xander Schauffele, in addition to Scott Stallings. A duel between the 2 males who’ve shared Presidents Cups, Ryder Cups, a Zurich Basic title and even holidays with their vital others feels just like the lone merchandise lacking from their friendship.

Comparable in demeanor and related from a statistical perspective, the 2 level-headed Individuals will enter the ultimate spherical as the highest two names on each the leaderboard and the percentages board at Caesars Sportsbook.

But, it was not all too way back that we noticed this duo paired collectively in a ultimate spherical. We simply have to look again to the Vacationers Championship wherein Schauffele was victorious whereas Cantlay was dreadful. Sufferer of a 6-over 76, Cantlay took himself out of rivalry early on Sunday and robbed golf followers of a possible back-and-forth bout between the 2.

This time is inherently totally different because the stakes are increased and Schauffele will function the chaser. Cantlay will start the ultimate spherical with the slight edge and marks his first 54-hole lead in nearly a 12 months — the final prevalence coming ultimately season’s Tour Championship. It was at this very match the place Cantlay started his march to his FedEx Cup title as he defeated Bryson DeChambeau in dramatic trend, and now he hopes to dismantle Schauffele and Co. en path to an analogous run.

The chief

1. Patrick Cantlay (-12)

The wins haven’t racked up like 2021, however Cantlay is enjoying even higher than he did a season in the past. And not using a solo victory this season, the world No. 4 has been shut on quite a few events, having misplaced in playoffs to Scottie Scheffler on the WM Phoenix Open and Jordan Spieth on the RBC Heritage.

Add in one other runner-up consequence on the Rocket Mortgage Basic, and in whole, Cantlay has captured top-10 finishes in half of his begins this season. Consistency is commonly not rewarded on the PGA Tour within the brief time period. Over the long term, it’s a totally different story and there’s a now actual likelihood it’ll repay for Cantlay in an enormous method.

Projected to maneuver up the FedEx Cup standings with a victory at Wilmington CC, Cantlay can turn into the primary man to not solely efficiently defend a postseason occasion but in addition efficiently defend a FedEx Cup crown. If in a position to accomplish that mission, Cantlay would gather over $20 million in a two-week stretch.

“I believe possibly within the greater tournaments it is simpler to sort of slim your focus, and I’ve accomplished job of staying within the second and attempting to get in the best way of thinking and good angle,” stated Cantlay. “I like this golf course. I just like the grasses that it is performed on. I like bent grass, and this golf course is in actually pure form. It was even higher earlier than they burned out the greens.”

Different contenders

T2. Xander Schauffele and Scott Stallings (-11)

T4. Adam Scott and Scottie Scheffler (-10)

T6. Collin Morikawa and Aaron Smart (-9)

T8. Joaquin Niemann and Corey Conners (-8)

Gamers inside 4 strokes of the lead should nonetheless imagine they’ve an opportunity to boost the BMW Championship trophy. Whereas Cantlay can be a tough participant to surpass, the pursuers boast a reputable résumé. Schauffele and Scheffler have touched the lead at varied factors all through this championship, however it’s Morikawa who made the most important transfer on Saturday.

After a horrible efficiency on the greens within the second spherical, the two-time main champion was ready to determine one thing in his placing stroke and propel himself again into rivalry. Signing for a 6-under 65, Morikawa, the lone top-10 participant within the Official World Golf Rankings to stay winless within the 2021-22 season, will search for his first victory in over a 12 months. Regardless of this, he has elevated his recreation in main championships and in huge moments, and spoke to what can be wanted for his first title for the reason that 2021 Open.

“I believe keep affected person. I believe with how dry and the way bouncy these greens are getting, take benefit when you’re within the fairway and also you do have angle and quantity. However simply be affected person,” stated Morikawa of his recreation plan for the ultimate spherical. “Clearly numerous good rounds I believe out right here have gotten off to good begins firstly of the spherical, and that is key. But when it would not occur, it doesn’t suggest you may’t make birdies on say 8 , 9, 10, 11, 12. It has been some time since — hopefully I will be inside a number of of the lead tomorrow, and I stay up for that. I am excited.”

Rick Gehman and Mark Immelman talk about Saturday’s motion on the BMW Championship. Comply with & hearken to The First Lower on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

What Will Zalatoris’ WD means for the postseason finale

The St. Jude Championship winner entered the BMW Championship narrowly main the FedEx Cup standings. Have to withdraw mid-round on Saturday as a consequence of a again harm, Zalatoris’ departure offers method for an additional participant to start the Tour Championship atop the standings. This head begin has confirmed to be essential in years previous with the chief beginning the Tour Championship at 10 beneath. The FedEx Cup No. 2 will start at 8 beneath, after which Zalatoris – who’s at present projected to drop to No. 3 within the standings – will tee off the week at 7 beneath.

Tour Championship implications

Eyes can be drawn to the highest of the leaderboard, however these hovering across the high 30 within the FedEx Cup standings can be of specific curiosity as properly. With every shot with vital that means, these on the bubble can be vying for a spot within the discipline at subsequent week’s Tour Championship the place huge paydays and main championship exemptions are ready.

“I am simply popping out and attempting to win a golf match,” stated Denny McCarthy who’s at present T10 at 7 beneath. “I have been shut for some time now. I believe that mindset has labored properly for me. I do know I have to have end. However successful is a reasonably good end, too.”

2022 BMW Championship up to date odds, picks

• Patrick Cantlay: 23/10
• Xander Schauffele: 33/10
• Scottie Scheffler: 9/2
• Scott Stallings: 15/2
• Adam Scott: 10-1
• Collin Morikawa: 14-1
• Aaron Smart: 20-1
• Rory McIlroy: 35-1
• Joaquin Niemann: 35-1
• Corey Conners: 40-1

Fairways can be essential on Sunday, and amongst these listed above, Morikawa and Conners prepared the ground by way of driving accuracy. Morikawa was lastly in a position to present one thing with the putter on Saturday and is just three strokes off the lead of Cantlay. Whereas Cantlay is my option to win the BMW Championship, I might not be shocked if Morikawa is ready to publish the clubhouse lead and provides him one thing to consider down the stretch.