Rory McIlroy blows chance to take early lead at BMW Championship

Rory McIlroy missed the opportunity to take an early lead at the BMW Championship in Denver, finishing the opening round at three-under-par.

The Northern Irishman squandered a two-shot lead with bogeys on the 15th and 16th holes to end up in a three-way tie on three-under.

Englishman Justin Rose carded a one-under-par score of 69, while US Ryder Cup competitors Phil Mickelson and Jim Furyk opened with a par.

American Chris Kirk - the overall leader after two of the four FedEx Cup playoff contests - tops the leaderboard at BMW with a one-over-par opening round of 71.

Nine players were still out on the course after bad weather suspended play until 1am on Friday morning.