Adam Scott smashes single drive more than 390m in opening round of the $30m BMW Championship

Playing at high altitude in Colorado, the world’s best golfers are smacking the ball a mile and the Aussie star didn’t miss out.

Adam Scott finished the opening round in a tie for third at the BMW Championship. Picture: Christian Petersen/Getty Images

Adam Scott smashed a 390m drive to show the old guy still has it as he surged into a share of third at the $30m BMW Championship.

Scott is pushing for a win, or a top-five finish, to make the season-ending Tour Championship.

The 44-year-old was keen to point out his epic feat in the aftermath of his opening round four-under par 68, which left him two shots behind surprise leader Keegan Bradley at Castle Pines Golf Club in Colorado.

Players were excited at the prospect of how far the ball could fly at the high altitude course, which is the longest on tour this year.

Scott stepped up to the tee on the par four 10th hole and didn’t hold back, sending the ball, by official measurements, 389.3m, making one of his four back-nine birdies, and five for the round, to put himself in contention.

Only Korean Ben An hit a longer bomb in the opening round, passing Scott by just over 1m.

Returning to the site of his PGA Tour debut in 2000, where he missed the cut, Scott said the highlight of his first 18 holes was obvious.

“I think the highlight was hitting it 430 (yards) down the 10th, by the way. Forget the iron play,” he said.

Longest drives of the day @BMWChamps 🤯

1. Byeong Hun An (431 yards)
2. Adam Scott (426 yards)
T3. Ludvig Ã…berg (418 yards)
T3. Taylor Pendrith
T5. Sahith Theegala (417 yards)
T5. Xander Schauffele
T5. Russell Henley pic.twitter.com/NJYDRol7tt

— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) August 23, 2024

“I think I played well today. You know, I think playing at this altitude and working quite hard on every shot with the numbers just to not make mistakes kept me sharp out there, and (I) fell in a good rhythm quickly. Didn’t make any putts on the front but then got a few to go off some good shots on the back and got the momentum going in the right direction.

“I was a bit surprised it played more difficult than I thought it would, and I can see now if you’re off out there, you’re going to really struggle because the rough is brutal. It’s going to be important to hit a lot of fairways the rest of the week.”

Scott said he was playing with a bit of “freedom” this week having set up his 2025 season just by making the field.

But he still wants to get to the final event.

“I think I can play with some freedom this week,” he said.

A full-circle moment for the Aussie 👏

24 years after his TOUR debut at Castle Pines, Adam Scott is back and sits at T3 after the opening round @BMWChamps. pic.twitter.com/MhOB1cwSlm

— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) August 22, 2024

“Of course, I want to make it to Atlanta, but making the top 50 is like kind of keeping your card in a top player group out here these days. That’s going to set me up for a great year next year, so I’m excited about that. I do feel like the pressure is a little bit off this week.”

The other Australians in the field did not fare so well.

Cam Davis opened with an even par 72, while Jason Day is equal last in the 50-player field after shooting a six-over 78.