FedExCup Update: Hadwin aims to atone for BMW near miss

MEDINAH, Ill. – Adam Hadwin shot a second-round 68 to reach 9-under-par, just three off the lead of Hideki Matsuyama halfway through the BMW Championship at Medinah.

In a six-way tie for fifth, Hadwin is projected to move from 51st to 32nd in the FedExCup. Is history repeating itself? He hopes not, and here’s why:

A year ago, Hadwin came into the BMW at 47th in the FedExCup, needing to go low to reach the TOUR Championship. He shot a final-round 67 to finish T19, but the round featured a double-bogey at the 10th hole, and he only moved up to FedExCup No. 36.

“It's tough to boil an entire season down to one hole,” Hadwin said after making five birdies and a bogey at Medinah on Friday. “Kind of lots of things that can go on throughout the season, but I'm in a good position to do what I was trying to do last year now and, you know, got two more days. Got to keep working hard. Guys are going to make a bunch of birdies behind me.”

Hadwin has played in the TOUR Championship just once, in 2017, the year he picked up his only PGA TOUR victory at the Valspar Championship. He’ll need a solo fifth or better to make his second-ever trip to the 30-man season-ender in Atlanta.

“It's a goal and certainly at the beginning of the year to get there,” he said. “Having been there once before I know what comes along with it and how much of an advantage it can be.”

Hadwin also has an outside shot at making the International Presidents Cup team; he’s 18th on the points list but would make a big leap up with a victory. This is the last week for players to work their way into the top eight to make either the U.S. or International team automatically.

“Presidents Cup has always been on my mind,” he said.

Related: Leaderboard | Projected FedExCup standings | Hot putter helps Matsuyama set course record

Glover tries to keep it simple

The FedExCup Playoffs started in 2007. Lucas Glover has never looked at any scenario showing what he needs to do to advance.

“For me, it’s pointless,” he said. “It’s just added crap in my head.”

Well, the scenarios for Glover this week are currently in his favor through two rounds of the BMW Championship. Tied for fifth after his 3-under 69 Friday, Glover currently is projected to jump to 27th in the FedExCup standings.

If he turns that projection into reality, he would make his first trip to the TOUR Championship since 2009, which happens to also be the year he won the U.S. Open.

“Lots of 10-year anniversaries this year,” Glover said.

Glover entered the week 41st in points, likely needing a solo 10th or better to move on. He followed his bogey-free 66 on Thursday with a 69 that included just as many birdies (six) but also three bogeys.

But Glover said he will not stress over his East Lake possibilities this weekend. Although he hasn’t won this season, he’s posted six top-10s – his most since, yes, 2009.

“I’m not going to let not getting there ruin what was a solid year,” Glover said. “Had a good year, not a great year. I’m not going to let the next two days put value on whether I’m pleased with my season or not.” – Mike McAllister

Rose’s repeat bid takes a hit

How hard is it to win the FedExCup? Since the inception of the FedExCup in 2007, no player, not even Tiger Woods, has successfully defended his title.

Justin Rose came into this week at a respectable 12th in the points list, but the no-repeat trend looks like it may continue after he triple-bogeyed the par-3 second hole on the way to a 73.

The trouble started when he hit his tee shot into the water, took a drop, and hit his third shot into the same water. He dropped again and finally reached land, and made a 5 ½-foot putt for triple. He fought back with three birdies in his next five holes, but bogeyed the sixth and 18th holes.

The round dropped him 23 spots to T40, and he went to the range afterward.

Latest projections: Who’s in/out of top 30

Here are the projections after Friday’s second round of the BMW Championship:

MOVING INSIDE TOP 30: Hideki Matsuyama (33 to 2), Lucas Glover (41 to 27), Rory Sabbatini (45 to 28), Kevin Tway (40 to 29), Jason Kokrak (32 to 30).

FALLING OUTSIDE TOP 30: Louis Oosthuizen (28 to 31), Sungjae Im (26 to 34), Andrew Putnam (30 to 35), Shane Lowry (25 to 37), Harold Varner III (29 to 39).