BMW Championship 2010

As defending champion Tiger Woods teed off at the 2010 BMW Championship, the man hoping to replace him as the new FedExCup champion returned to the clubhouse at the Cog Hill Golf & Country Club. Matt Kuchar birdied his final hole to card an opening round of 64 (-7 for the round) and move one shot clear of compatriot Ryan Moore as the current clubhouse leader. Moore's round of 65 (-6) featured a new record for the back nine, including an incredible seven birdies. The best-placed Europeans after the morning's play are the English pair of Luke Donald and Justin Rose, who finished four shots behind the leader on -3.

Having secured one of Corey Pavin's four captain's picks for the US Ryder Cup team on Tuesday, Woods arrived in Chicago with a lot of work to be done if he is to retain any chance of defending his FedExCup title. In fact, Woods ranking of 51 after the first two play-off tournaments means he must produce a good result in order to even qualify for the season finale, the Tour Championship. The world number one tees off alongside South Korean K.J. Choi.

One man in a far better position going into the third play-off tournament is American Steve Stricker. Currently occupying third spot in the FedExCup rankings, the US Ryder Cup team member teed off at 12:30 hoping to keep leader Matt Kuchar in his sights going into the season finale. Stricker is followed onto the Dubsdread course by world number two Phil Mickelson (USA), who still has his sights set on Woods' number one ranking. A fascinating afternoon of golf is in store at the 2010 BMW Championship.

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