Sports
Aaron Rai takes BMW PGA Championship lead as McIlroy's round unravels
September 17, 2026 at 04:57 PM
Coverage
4 reports · over 5 hours
ESESPN
Rai, Lagergren share BMW Championship lead as McIlroy falters late
(opens the publisher’s site)
TGThe Guardian
Aaron Rai shrugs off early nerves to outshine playing partner Rory McIlroy
(opens the publisher’s site)
ESESPN
Rory McIlroy unravels after flying start at Wentworth, Aaron Rai leads the way
(opens the publisher’s site)ESESPN
Rory McIlroy unravels after flying start at Wentworth
(opens the publisher’s site)Aaron Rai's opening 66 at Wentworth moved him ahead of playing partner Rory McIlroy, who faded after a flying start to the BMW PGA Championship.
- Rai posted a six-under 66 to share the early lead with Joakim Lagergren, three better than McIlroy and two ahead of Ryan Fox's 68.
- McIlroy, five under through 10 holes, made three bogeys over his final six holes to finish on a three-under 69.
- Rai said he felt unusually nervous playing alongside McIlroy but settled into the round quickly.
- McIlroy dismissed his Wednesday pro-am round of 60 as "nothing" and said he is in the middle of technical swing changes.