Only best will do for McIlroy

Former world number one Rory McIlroy needs a topfour finish in the BMW championship to make certain of having a chance of retaining his FedEx Cup title.

McIlroy enters the penultimate play-off event at his lowest world ranking for more than three years, a missed cut in the Dell Technologies championship seeing him slip from fourth to sixth in the standings behind US PGA champion Justin Thomas and Spain’s Jon Rahm. Crucially, his position of 51st in the FedEx Cup standings means the 28-year-old needs to rediscover his top form at Conway Farms, Illinois to climb into the top 30 and qualify for the Tour Championship in Atlanta.

The four-time major winner defeated Ryan Moore and Kevin Chappell in a play-off at East Lake 12 months ago to win the overall FedEx Cup title and is keen to avoid just a second full winless season since turning professional.

The Northern Irishman is due to contest the Alfred Dunhill links championship from October 5 to 8 before calling time on an injury-hit campaign which has seen him restricted to 15 events.

In contrast, FedEx Cup leader Jordan Spieth has played 20 tournaments, winning three – one of which was the Open at Royal Birkdale – and recording three runners-up finishes, including both play-off events to date.

But Spieth admits motivation could be an issue this week as his place in the top five heading into Atlanta is already secure.