McIlroy fades in FedEx Cup race

Rory McIlroy has fallen out of favour with Irish punters as he bids to boost his chances of a huge payday in the prestigious FedEx Cup Playoffs this week.

The Holywood man has been eased out to 10/1 from 15/2 by BoyleSports to win this week’s BMW Championship, as the race for the lucrative prize of $18m hots up in Denver ahead of next week’s money-spinning Tour Championship finale in Atlanta.

McIlroy, who sits 5th in the FedEx Cup standings, requires a swift change in fortunes after a missed cut at The Open was followed by a tied-68th finish in a field of 70 at last week’s St Jude Championship. Shane Lowry is 11th in the FedEx standings and is a 50/1 chance to shoot up the rankings with a victory as the reduced field of 50 fight for one of 30 spots in the season-ending Tour Championship.

FedEx leaders Scottie Scheffler (14/5) and Xander Schauffele (5/1), who took three of the four majors this year between them, are leading the betting as the giant pay cheque looms for the player at the top of the list next Sunday.

Closer to home, Cavan’s Leona Maguire faces odds of 80/1 to land the first major of her career as she tees it up at the iconic St Andrews Old Course in the Women’s Open, where American Nelly Korda is 10/1 favourite to crown a stellar year with a major victory.

Both Lauren Walsh and Stephanie Meadow are also in the field and offer good value at 400/1 and 500/1 respectively.

Lawrence Lyons, spokesperson for BoyleSports, said: “Rory McIlroy is guaranteed a spot in next week’s finale and while there’s a huge incentive to rediscover his best form, last week’s outing has punters looking elsewhere.”

For golf markets in full, please click here.