The 2019 BMW Championship was the second event of the PGA Tour’s FedExCup Playoffs, held at the prestigious Medinah Country Club. Justin Thomas claimed victory with a tournament-record score of 25-under par (263), securing a three-stroke win over Patrick Cantlay. This win positioned Thomas as the top seed for the season-ending Tour Championship.
The 2019 BMW Championship stands as a landmark event in professional golf, representing a fusion of historical prestige and modern scoring explosive power. As the penultimate event of the 2018-19 PGA Tour season, it served as the final gatekeeper for players seeking to qualify for the Tour Championship at East Lake. Looking back from 2026, this particular edition of the BMW Championship is remembered primarily for Justin Thomas’s ball-striking clinic and the sheer vulnerability of one of America’s most "un-gettable" courses when faced with ideal conditions and elite talent.
The Venue: Medinah Country Club (Course No. 3)
Medinah Country Club, located in Medinah, Illinois, is a venue steeped in championship pedigree. Course No. 3, designed by Tom Bendelow and later renovated by Rees Jones, has hosted multiple U.S. Opens (1949, 1975, 1990) and PGA Championships (1999, 2006), as well as the legendary 2012 Ryder Cup.
For the 2019 BMW Championship, the course was set up at a staggering 7,613 yards, playing to a par of 72. Historically, Medinah was feared for its length and its narrow, tree-lined fairways. However, in August 2019, the Chicago area experienced significant moisture, leading to soft, receptive greens and fairways. Without the defense of firm turf and high winds, the world’s best players were able to attack pins with surgical precision.
The course featured four par-5s that were essentially reachable for the entire field, and several par-4s that required long carries over water or bunkers, which modern launch conditions made more manageable. The "Signature Hole," the par-3 17th, which requires a long iron over Lake Kadijah, remained a pivotal point for the leaderboard throughout the week.
Justin Thomas’s Record-Breaking Performance
The story of the 2019 BMW Championship was inextricably linked to Justin Thomas. Entering the week, Thomas had dealt with a nagging wrist injury earlier in the season that had hampered his consistency. At Medinah, everything clicked.
Thomas opened the tournament with a 65, followed by a steady 69. However, it was Saturday’s third round that rewrote the record books. Thomas carded a 11-under-par 61, a round that included two eagles and eight birdies. This performance shattered the previous course record and gave him a six-shot lead heading into Sunday.
His statistical dominance was most evident in Strokes Gained: Tee-to-Green, where he gained over 15 strokes on the field for the week. On Sunday, despite a late charge from Patrick Cantlay, Thomas maintained his composure, carding a 68 to finish at 25-under par. This 263 total set a new tournament scoring record for the BMW Championship, surpassing the previous mark of 264 set by Marc Leishman in 2017.
The Battle for the Top 30: The FedExCup Bubble
The BMW Championship is unique because it serves as the "cut-off" for the Tour Championship. Only the top 30 players in the FedExCup points standings following the event advance to Atlanta to compete for the season-long title.
In 2019, this "bubble" drama was intense. Several high-profile players entered the week needing a massive performance to extend their season.
- Tiger Woods: The defending Tour Championship winner arrived at Medinah sitting 38th in the standings. He needed a top-11 finish to advance. Despite flashes of brilliance, Woods finished T37 at 7-under par, ending his season and preventing him from defending his title at East Lake.
- Lucas Glover: Glover entered the week at 41st and delivered a clutch T7 finish. His performance jumped him into the 29th spot, securing his first trip to the Tour Championship since 2009.
- Louis Oosthuizen: Sitting at 28th, Oosthuizen played a conservative but effective game, finishing T11 to hold his position and move on to the finale.
- Kevin Tway: Tway began the week in the 30th spot but finished T48 at Medinah. This poor showing caused him to drop out of the top 30, being replaced by those who made late moves.
2019 BMW Championship Final Leaderboard
The following table details the top finishers at the 2019 BMW Championship, their total scores, and the prize money awarded.
| Position | Player | Round Scores | Total Score | To Par | Earnings (USD) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Justin Thomas | 65-69-61-68 | 263 | -25 | $1,665,000 |
| 2 | Patrick Cantlay | 66-67-68-65 | 266 | -22 | $999,000 |
| 3 | Hideki Matsuyama | 69-63-73-63 | 268 | -20 | $629,000 |
| 4 | Tony Finau | 67-66-68-69 | 270 | -18 | $444,000 |
| T5 | Jon Rahm | 68-70-66-68 | 272 | -16 | $342,250 |
| T5 | Brandt Snedeker | 68-68-69-67 | 272 | -16 | $342,250 |
| T7 | Corey Conners | 68-71-66-68 | 273 | -15 | $284,438 |
| T7 | Lucas Glover | 68-69-69-67 | 273 | -15 | $284,438 |
| T9 | Adam Scott | 67-71-69-67 | 274 | -14 | $231,250 |
| T9 | Rory McIlroy | 69-67-71-67 | 274 | -14 | $231,250 |
Technical Analysis of the 2019 Setup
The low scoring in 2019 led to significant debate within the golf architecture community about the "defense" of historic courses. Medinah No. 3 was designed to be a championship test, yet the field average for the week was nearly 2-under par per round.
Turf Conditions and Green Speeds
The greens were composed of a Bentgrass/Poa annua mix, which is standard for the Chicago area. Because of the rain early in the week, the Stimpmeter readings were kept around 12 to 12.5. While fast, they were not the "glass-like" 13.5+ readings often seen at U.S. Opens. This allowed players to be aggressive with uphill and side-hill putts, knowing the ball would hold its line rather than sliding away.
Club Selection and Ball Striking
Justin Thomas utilized a Titleist TS3 driver and a combination of Titleist T100 and 620 MB irons. His ability to control the trajectory of his long irons into Medinah’s soft greens was the primary differentiator. On the 613-yard par-5 14th, for example, many players were forced to lay up, but Thomas was frequently able to reach the green or its immediate vicinity in two, effectively turning the hole into a "long par 4."
The Pivot to the New FedExCup Format
2019 was the inaugural year for the "Starting Strokes" format at the Tour Championship. The results of the BMW Championship directly dictated the starting scores for the finale at East Lake.
By winning at Medinah, Justin Thomas earned the #1 seed and began the Tour Championship at 10-under par. Patrick Cantlay, who finished second at the BMW, began at 8-under. This was a radical departure from the previous points-reset system and placed immense pressure on players to perform well at the BMW Championship specifically to gain a head start in the pursuit of the $15 million prize (the bonus amount in 2019).
Historical Impact and Legacy
The 2019 BMW Championship is often cited as the tournament that cemented Justin Thomas's status as a dominant postseason force. It also served as a "changing of the guard" moment for the venue. After the 2019 event, Medinah Country Club underwent further renovations to ensure the course remained a viable challenge for the next generation of professional golfers, leading up to its selection for the 2026 Presidents Cup.
Furthermore, the 2019 event highlighted the importance of the "middle" leg of the playoffs. With the field cut from 70 to 30, the BMW Championship provides one of the highest-stakes environments in the sport, where one missed putt can result in the end of a season and the loss of millions in potential earnings.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who won the 2019 BMW Championship?
Justin Thomas won the 2019 BMW Championship at Medinah Country Club. He finished with a record-setting total of 25-under par (263), defeating Patrick Cantlay by three strokes. This victory was Thomas’s 10th career PGA Tour win and catapulted him to the top of the FedExCup standings.
Where was the 2019 BMW Championship played?
The tournament was held at Medinah Country Club (Course No. 3) in Medinah, Illinois. This course is a historic venue that has hosted several major championships and the 2012 Ryder Cup. At the time, the course was set up as a par 72, measuring over 7,600 yards.
Did Tiger Woods play in the 2019 BMW Championship?
Yes, Tiger Woods played in the 2019 BMW Championship. He entered the week in the 38th position in the FedExCup standings. Despite shooting a 7-under-par total for the week, he finished in a tie for 37th place, which was not enough to move him into the top 30 for the Tour Championship.
What was the lowest round of the tournament?
Justin Thomas shot the lowest round of the tournament during Saturday's third round. He carded an 11-under-par 61, which set a new course record at Medinah No. 3. This round featured two eagles and was instrumental in securing his three-shot victory.
How did the 2019 BMW Championship affect the Tour Championship?
The 2019 BMW Championship was the final event to determine the 30 players who qualified for the Tour Championship. It also determined the "Starting Strokes" for the finale. As the winner, Justin Thomas started the Tour Championship at 10-under par, giving him a two-stroke lead over the second seed before the first ball was even struck in Atlanta.
Practical Recommendation for Golf Historians and Analysts
For those analyzing the 2019 BMW Championship for historical or statistical purposes, it is essential to contextualize the scores within the weather conditions of that week. The 25-under-par winning score is an outlier for Medinah No. 3. When reviewing player performance data from this event—specifically "Strokes Gained: Putting"—analysts should note that the soft greens rewarded aggressive "point-and-shoot" putting styles rather than the defensive, "lag-putting" approach usually required at this venue.
If you are researching the evolution of the FedExCup, the 2019 BMW Championship serves as the perfect case study for how the "Starting Strokes" format increased the weight of the penultimate playoff event.
