Bradley matched a career low with a 29 on the front nine at Wilmington Country Club and finished with a seven-under 64 to take a one-shot lead over Australia's Adam Scott.

Bradley is at No.44 in the FedExCup and likely needs a top-10 – he hasn't had one since the U.S. Open – to be among the 30 players who advance to the Tour Championship in Atlanta to chase the $18 million ($A26 million) prize.

He isn't willing to consider the scenarios until it matters, which is Sunday. Until then, it's all about trying to win a tournament just like any other week.

"My plan is I'm going to go home and see my kids no matter what on Sunday night," Bradley said. "I'd love to go to Atlanta. That's everyone's goal to start the year."

Scott started the post-season at No.77 and tied for fifth in the Playoffs opener last week just to make it to the second stage.

RIGHT: Keegan Bradley was impressive on his way to the BMW Championship lead at Wilmington Country Club. PHOTO: Rob Carr/Getty Images.

Now he's at No.45, giving him a chance. It also meant being paired with Bradley, and they put on quite a show. They combined for 15 birdies.

"He played beautifully today, and I was really just trying to follow his lead," Scott said. "He kind of had everything going the way he wanted, and most of the time he was teeing off first and I was just trying to follow."

PGA champion Justin Thomas put a different putter in the bag and responded with a 66 to leave him in the group with former Open Champion Shane Lowry and Harold Varner III.

Xander Schauffele and Collin Morikawa led the group at 67.

Rory McIlroy was the only player from the afternoon who looked to challenge Bradley, and he was doing just that at six-under with four holes to play.

But then he was between clubs on the par-3 15th, tried to hit a soft cut with a 5-iron and put his tee shot into the water. He took three putts from just short of the green, missing a three-footer, and made triple bogey.

"He kind of had everything going the way he wanted, and most of the time he was teeing off first and I was just trying to follow." - Adam Scott.

McIlroy was in the group at 68 that included Australian Marc Leishman, Jordan Spieth, World No.1 Scottie Scheffler and Patrick Cantlay, who won the BMW Championship last year on his way to capturing the FedExCup.

McIlroy was able to accept one bad swing that cost him three shots, especially having missed the cut last week in the FedEx St Jude Championship.

"Overall the rest of it was pretty good," he said. "I knew once I got here last weekend, I knew it was a golf course that was going to suit me better than last week.

"Pleased with my game. Disappointed with how I finished, but encouraged with the rest of it."

Australia's Cam Davis is tied 24th after posting a 69, one ahead of FedExCup leader Will Zalatoris and compatriot Lucas Herbert.