As the BMW Championship begins on Thursday, attention is shifting from star players like Scottie Scheffler, Xander Schauffele, and Rory McIlroy to the distinctive challenge presented by the course itself. The PGA Tour has chosen Castle Pines Golf Club in Castle Rock, Colorado, for this year's event, marking the first time the tournament returns to Colorado's high altitude since 2014. The course stretches to a record 8,130 yards, taking advantage of the thin air that can make drives travel further.
The altitude poses a unique challenge for players. Wyndham Clark, a Colorado native, notes that the thin air can lead to inconsistencies in shot distance and trajectory, making it difficult to gauge how far shots will carry. With all four par-3 holes exceeding 200 yards and par-5 holes reaching up to 662 yards, players will have to adapt to the high elevation and 400 feet of elevation change throughout the course.
Scottie Scheffler, who has previously experienced the effects of altitude during a family vacation to Colorado, is grateful for the early exposure to these conditions. He has struggled with altitude issues in the past but feels better prepared this time around. Scheffler leads the FedEx Cup points race, followed by Xander Schauffele in second place, with Hideki Matsuyama climbing to third after his recent victory at the FedEx St. Jude Championship.
The BMW Championship will determine the top 30 players who will advance to the Tour Championship in Atlanta. Notable players like Justin Thomas and Jason Day are at risk of dropping out of the top 30 if they do not perform well. Thomas prefers to focus solely on his game without worrying about the scenarios that might affect his playoff position.
Norway's Viktor Hovland, the defending FedEx Cup champion and last year's BMW winner, has moved up to 16th place after a strong performance at the FedEx St. Jude Championship. Hovland, who initially started the playoffs in 57th place, feels motivated by the possibility of improving his standing and potentially defending his title.
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