\n<\/p>\n
American Keegan Bradley held a one-shot lead after shooting a six-under 66 during a thunderstorm-hit first round at the BMW Championship.<\/p>\n
Bradley had finished his round by the time a thunderstorm stopped play for three hours at Castle Pines, near Denver. <\/p>\n
Japan’s Hideki Matsuyama was within one shot of Bradley on the final hole when play was halted, but he failed to take a share of the lead by missing a birdie putt when play eventually resumed. <\/p>\n
Bradley, who was recently named the United States’ captain for the 2025 Ryder Cup, scraped into the 50-strong field with the last available spot in Colorado.<\/p>\n
“I want to be out there with the guys and the Ryder Cup team,” said Bradley after his first round.<\/p>\n
“I want to be playing with them, on the range with them, in the locker room, in the tournament.<\/p>\n
“It was really important for me to be in this top 50.”<\/p>\n
Sweden’s Alex Noren, Australia’s Adam Scott, Canada’s Corey Conners and South Korea’s Im Sung-jae formed a four-strong pack on four under.<\/p>\n
Two-time major winner Xander Schauffele sat three back, while world number one Scottie Scheffler struggled with a back problem as he finished one under. <\/p>\n
Rory McIlroy, who was paired with Matsuyama when play stopped, was tied for 10th after a two-under 70.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n