Kuchar stays hot in PGA playoffs

LEMONT, Ill., Sept. 9 (UPI) -- Matt Kuchar, already ahead in the race for the FedEx Cup and its $10 million first prize, grabbed the lead Thursday after one round of the BMW Championship.

Kuchar shot a 7-under 64 to start the third tournament in the four-event PGA Tour playoffs, one stroke better than Ryan Moore.

Retief Goosen and Charlie Wi both fired a 67 at the Cog Hill Golf and Country Club to share third place while those at 68 included Justin Rose, Luke Donald, Dustin Johnson and Brian Gay.

Kuchar won the first of the playoff tournaments two weeks ago in New Jersey and began this event with a 976-point lead over Charley Hoffman in the FedEx Cup race. A win this week would guarantee Kuchar first place in the points standings heading into the Tour Championship, but it would not clinch the FedEx Cup and its lucrative top prize.

There will be a reshuffling of the points for the 30 players who reach the Tour Championship. Any of the top five in points will win the FedEx Cup if they can win the Tour Championship.

Tiger Woods, who began this week in 51st place on the points list, shot a 2-over 73 and will need to improve dramatically over the final three rounds in order to be among the 30 players who will compete in the final event.

Phil Mickelson, who is 14th in the standings and is certain to reach the Tour Championship, had a 72.

Hoffman, who shot a 62 in the final round last week to win the Deutsche Bank Championship, settled for a 70 and a tie for 12th place.