The final round of the 2018 BMW Championship has been postponed to Monday after being bumped back multiple times on Sunday because of rain.
The Philadelphia area where Aronimink Golf Club is located has received several inches of rain, and more is expected on Monday. If at least half of the 69 golfers in the field do not finish by Monday night, the event will be reduced to 54 holes. Otherwise it could spill into Tuesday.
There are myriad implications here. If the tournament is called after 54 holes, Justin Rose would be declared the winner at 17 under and would rise to No. 1 in the world.
Projected new top-4 in world if BMW Championship is shortened to 54 holes:
1. Justin Rose
2. DJ
3. Koepka
4. JT — Justin Ray (@JustinRayGC) September 9, 2018
On the other end, things wouldn't be as sunny for three-time major champ Jordan Spieth.
Spieth, who is T39 after 54 holes, is on the outside looking in for the top 30 in the FedEx Cup race and as it stands right now, would not qualify for the Tour Championship. So what, right? Well, it's a little more complex than that because Spieth, who is playing his 23rd event and will play his 24th at the Ryder Cup in three weeks, needs to play in 25 events or he runs the risk of violating the following PGA Tour rule:
The PGA Tour is in the second year of a policy that requires players to compete in a minimum of 25 events if they fail to add an event to their schedule that they have not played in the previous four years.
According to ESPN, he is looking at a possible suspension or fine.
If he fails to qualify and comes up short, it is unclear what would happen. No player has violated the policy, but the tour's regulations stipulate that he could receive a major fine (believed to be $20,000) or a suspension.
All of this is a big bummer given how exciting the golf has been this week and how many big names are in contention. Rory McIlroy, Justin Thomas and Rickie Fowler are among the big names chasing Rose on a soft course with an abundance of birdies being made. One more day of that would be delightful.
Hopefully (and especially for Spieth) we get it on Monday.
With heavy rain falling overnight in Newtown Square, Pa., and more expected throughout the day on Sunday, the final round of the BMW Championship was postponed Sunday and will be played on Monday.
Weather permitting.
Justin Rose, at 17 under, leads Rory McIlroy and Xander Schauffele by a shot. Tommy Fleetwood and Rickie Fowler are two more shots back.
CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Justin Rose (17-under) led by one shot entering the final round of the PGA Tour's BMW Championship 2018 on Sunday, Sept. 9, in Pennsylvania. The BMW, featuring a field of 69, is the third of four events in the FedExCup Playoffs.
Rory McIlroy and Xander Schauffele were tied for second.
Bryson DeChambeau, who has won the first two playoff events (The Northern Trust, Dell Technologies Championship) is grouped with Dustin Johnson and Justin Rose. DeChambeau, Johnson and Rose are Nos. 1-3 in the FedExCup standings.
PGA TOUR
BMW CHAMPIONSHIP
Site: Newtown Square, Pa.
Course: Aronimink GC. Yardage: 7,267. Par: 70.
Purse: $9 million. Winner's share: $1,620,000.
Defending champion: Marc Leishman.
FedExCup leader: Bryson DeChambeau.
Last week: Bryson DeChambeau won the Dell Technologies Championship.
Notes: This is the third FedExCup playoff event, with the top 30 advancing to the Tour Championship at East Lake in two weeks. .... DeChambeau is assured of being the No. 1 seed at the Tour Championship. At stake this week is getting one of the top five seeds. Those players only need to win the Tour Championship to claim the FedExCup title and the $10 million bonus. ... Aronimink last held a PGA Tour event in 2010 and 2011 when the AT&T National moved there from Congressional ahead of the 2011 U.S. Open. Justin Rose and Nick Watney won those two years. Tiger Woods, whose foundation ran the tournament, tied for 46th in 2010 and did not play in 2011 because of leg injuries. ... Rickie Fowler is playing his first FedExCup playoffs event. He missed the last two with an injury. He started at No. 17 and now is No. 26. ... Aronimink is where Gary Player won the PGA Championship in 1962. The club will host the Women's PGA Championship in 2020 and the PGA Championship in 2027.
Next tournament: Tour Championship on Sept. 20-23.
Online: www.pgatour.com
(Fact box from Associated Press.)
Heavy rain has delayed the final round of the BMW Championship to Monday. They will be split in threesomes off both tees from 7:30 a.m. ET to 9:20 a.m. The goal is to play all 72 holes in FedExCup Playoffs events, since the progressive cut after each tournament determines the field for the next event. "You'll see guys that are 30, 31, 32 on that list for two weeks from now that they all want to play in, and we want them to play," said Slugger White, the PGA TOUR Vice President of Rules and Competitions.
Justin Rose took the 54-hole lead with a 6-under 64 on Saturday. Rory McIlroy climbed five spots with a 7-under 63 to share second with Xander Schauffele. Tommy Fleetwood had the round of the day with his second-straight 62 and is in the group two shots back at T4. Here's how you can follow Sunday's action.
Round 4 leaderboard
Round 4 tee times
HOW TO WATCH/LISTEN (ALL TIMES ET)
Television: 10 a.m. - conclusion of play (Golf Channel)
Radio : 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. or conclusion of play (PGA TOUR RADIO on Sirius XM or at PGATOUR.COM)
NOTABLE GROUPINGS
7:30 a.m. off No. 10: Dustin Johnson, Luke List, Zach Johnson
7:50 a.m. off No. 10: Jordan Spieth, Peter Uihlein, Abraham Ancer
8:00 a.m. off No. 1: Alex Noren, Bubba Watson, Bryson DeChambeau
8:20 a.m. off No. 1: Kevin Na, Jason Day, Jon Rahm
8:40 a.m. off No. 1: Webb Simpson, Tiger Woods, Scott Piercy
9:10 a.m. off No. 1: Tommy Fleetwood, Rickie Fowler, Keegan Bradley
9:20 a.m. off No. 1: Justin Rose, Rory McIlroy, Xander Schauffele
MUST-READS
Weather delays final round
The Upshot: Rose continues red-hot play at Aronimink
