Rory McIlroy tied with two others for lead at BMW Championship

Rory McIlroy ran out of par saves and had to settle for a three-under-par 67 and a share of the lead Thursday in the BMW Championship at Cherry Hills Village, Colo.

McIlroy appeared to be on his way to building a big lead when he made four birdies in a five-hole stretch around the turn. A pair of bogeys late in his round left him frustrated.

Jordan Spieth made two late birdies for a 67. Gary Woodland joined them at the top.

Cherry Hills is one of the shortest courses of the year and it held up fine. Only 21 players from the 69-man field were under par when the round was halted because of lightning in the area.

“It’s tricky. It really is,” McIlroy said. “The altitude, we’ve had a couple of days to adjust to that. It’s fine. But these greens have gotten so much firmer over the last 24 hours. I think that’s what is giving the guys just a little trouble out there.”

Henrik Stenson was at two under playing his final hole.