BMW Championship 2024: US Ryder Cup captain Keegan Bradley leads after thunderstorms

American Keegan Bradley held a one-shot lead after shooting a six-under 66 during a thunderstorm-hit first round at the BMW Championship.

Bradley had finished his round by the time a thunderstorm stopped play for three hours at Castle Pines, near Denver.

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.

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.

“I want to be out there with the guys and the Ryder Cup team,” said Bradley after his first round.

“I want to be playing with them, on the range with them, in the locker room, in the tournament.

“It was really important for me to be in this top 50.”

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.

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.

Rory McIlroy, who was paired with Matsuyama when play stopped, was tied for 10th after a two-under 70.