BMW Masters 2012: Day 1 Leaderboard Analysis, Highlights and More
You may have expected that Rory McIlroy would be the guy dominating in Shanghai at the BMW Masters, but in fact, McIlroy is chasing the player at the top of the leaderboard, just like everyone else.
Jamie Donaldson is several steps ahead of the rest of this talented field after Day 1, in which he shot a course-record 62, according to the BBC, to take a four-shot lead. He birdied 10 of his first 16 holes and now stands at 10-under parโbut how long can he keep it up?
After his stellar first round, Donaldson told the BBC:
"It's up there with the best rounds I've ever shot. The golf course is no pushover by any stretch of the imagination.
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McIlroy remains five shots behind Donaldson's lead, but there's plenty of time for him to make up ground in his quest to come out on top of the PGA Tour and the European Tour in the same year.ย He currently sits at the top of the money list, followed by Justin Rose, Branden Grace, Francesco Molinari and Ernie Els.
Check this space for leaderboard updates and highlights throughout the rest of the tournament.
Update: Thursday, Oct. 25 at 9:11 a.m. ET
Leaderboard
| Place | Player | Score | Thru |
| 1 | Jamie Donaldson | -10 | 18 |
| T2 | Peter Hanson | -6 | 18 |
| T2 | Francesco Molinari | -6 | 18 |
| T4 | Michael Hoey | -5 | 18 |
| T4 | Jose Maria Olazabal | -5 | 18 |
| T4 | Rory McIlroy | -5 | 18 |
| T7 | David Horsey | -4 | 18 |
| T7 | Edoardo Molinari | -4 | 18 |
| T7 | Alexander Noren | -4 | 18 |
| T7 | Martin Kaymer | -4 | 18 |
Prediction
It seems unlikely that Donaldson is going to be able to maintain that four-stroke leadโor the epic pace he set in the first roundโthroughout the entirety of this tournament. It seems especially unlikely, considering all of the talent breathing down his neck.
Perhaps Molinariโcurrently in fourth place on the money list and four strokes behind Donaldsonโcan make a run.
Watch: Round 2 will be shown on the Golf Channel on Friday, Oct. 26 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. ET
Notable Round 2 Tee Times
| Time (ET) | Player | ||
| 3:40 a.m. | Darren Clarke | Mike Weir | Joost Luiten |
| 5:10 a.m. | Lee Westwood | Simon Khan | Branden Grace |
| 5:20 a.m. | Rafa Cabrera-Bello | Luke Donald | Ian Poulter |
| 6:20 a.m. | Graeme McDowell | Paul Lawrie | Wenchong Liang |
| 7:10 a.m. | Rory McIlroy | Jose Maria Olazabal | Michael Hoey |
| 7:20 a.m. | Francesco Molinari | Peter Hanson | Jamie Donaldson |
Click here for a full list of Round 2 tee times.ย
