Sept. 08--The world's best players are coming to Chicago, and the top three in FedEx Cup playoff points will be paired together for the first two rounds of the BMW Championship. Jason Day, Jordan Spieth and Rickie Fowler, coming off his Monday victory at the Deutsche Bank Championship, will share tee boxes Sept. 17 and 18 at Conway Farms in Lake Forest.
The Tour takes a breather this week before the top 70 in points head to Chicago's North Shore. Conway Farms member Luke Donald finished 80th but still will host his annual wine-tasting event, Taste of the First Tee, on Sept. 14 with guests Fowler and Keegan Bradley.
Wheaton Warrenville South alum Kevin Streelman (75th) and Elmhurst resident Mark Wilson (95th) narrowly missed entry. University of Illinois alums Steve Stricker, Luke Guthrie and Scott Langley are also out, but Wisconsin native and resident Jerry Kelly, 48, birdied the 18th hole Monday to advance to the BMW. Among those also in the field: Rory McIlroy, Bubba Watson, Zach and Dustin Johnson, Phil Mickelson and Jim Furyk, who shot a 59 at Conway Farms in 2013.
Tickets remain (info at BMWChampionship.com) for the event, which organizers say will have enhanced spectator viewing, better logistics because of a second spectator entrance and new food and beverage options.
