Clark Breaks Clear BMW Log Jam With Woodland One Back While McIlroy Slips Five Behind

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Double US Open winning Wyndham Clark made it through another bogey-free round at Bellerive on Friday, posting a second straight 6-under 64 to build a one-shot lead over Gary Woodland going into the weekend at the BMW Championship on the Bellerive course in St. Louis, Missouri.

He might need to brace for another gallery supporting the other guy. Woodland grew up just under four hours away – one of the few times Missouri likes someone from Kansas – and is on the cusp of making it to the TOUR Championship all while coping with side effects from his 2023 brain surgery.

Woodland birdied his last two holes, belting a 2-iron into the 608-yard 17th hole and stuffing a wedge to 8 feet on the 18th for a 65.

Clark, who endured a New York crowd pulling for Scottie Scheffler at the U.S. Open, has looked comfortable across 36 holes. His only real stress over a par came on the par-4 10th hole Thursday when he had to make an 18-foot putt. He has no complaints about his game, and the two-time U.S. Open champion is tough to beat when he starts heating up.

Clark sits at 12-under 128. J.J. Spaun shot a 66 on his 36th birthday and is two shots behind. Both are already assured of finishing in the top 30 in the FedExCup, who advance to the TOUR Championship next week in Atlanta.

Woodland hasn’t been there in six years, and while he has looked great for two days, there are reminders that keeping his heart rate and energy under control is a constant battle. After ripping his tee shot on the 18th, Woodland sat down.

“I’m tired,” he said after his round with a grin.

His post-round routine includes sitting in a cool, dark room and trying to reset his brain. Adding to the pressure is trying to move from No. 31 into the final event of the season at East Lake.

“My focus right now is one day at a time. I don’t have that luxury to look ahead,” Woodland said. “I’ve got to focus on making sure I take care of myself right now. Tomorrow’s a new day, and hopefully I get some rest tonight and I’ll show up tomorrow and see how it comes.

“But I don’t have the luxury to look ahead anymore.”

Joint first round leader Rory McIlroy managed only two birdies in his round of 69 and is five shots behind at eight-under.  The Northern  Irishman is looking to join Tiger Woods as the only golfers to capture both The Masters and BMW Championship in the same season.

  • Copy PGA Tour

BMW Championship – Second-Round Notes 

Weather: Mostly sunny. High of 87. Wind WSW 4-8 mph.

Second Round Leaderboard

Wyndham Clark (1st/-12)

  • Marks the first time in his career (210th start) without a bogey through 36 holes; only player in the field without a bogey

  • Seventh 36-hole lead/co-lead in individual stroke-play events; 2-for-6 converting (2023 Truist Championship, 2026 U.S. Open)

  • Seeking to become the first player to win the U.S. Open and BMW Championship in the same season since Dustin Johnson (2016)

  • PGA TOUR wins (5): 2023 Truist Championship, 2023 U.S. Open, 2024 AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am, 2026 CJ CUP Byron Nelson, 2026 U.S. Open

  • Leads the field in Scrambling (5/5) and Sand Saves (3/3; T1)

  • Projected No. 3 in the FedExCup standings in attempt to advance to the TOUR Championship for the third time (2023/3rd, 2024/8th)

  • Best finish in four prior starts at the BMW Championship: T13/2024

 Gary Woodland (2nd/-11)

  • Leads the field in three Strokes Gained categories: Off the Tee (2.455), Tee to Green (7.514), Approach the Green (4.484)

  • PGA TOUR wins (5): 2011 Valspar Championship, 2013 Reno-Tahoe Open, 2018 WM Phoenix Open, 2019 U.S. Open, 2026 Texas Children’s Houston Open

  • Projected No. 17 in the FedExCup standings in attempt to advance to the TOUR Championship for the first time since 2019

  • Best finish in nine prior starts at the BMW Championship: T12/2018

  • One of 17 players in this week’s field who competed in the 2018 PGA Championship held at Bellerive CC (finished T6)

 Additional notes

  • Second-round standings for the five first-round co-leaders: Wyndham Clark (1st/-12), Gary Woodland (2nd/-11), J.J. Spaun (3rd/-10), Chris Gotterup (T4/-9), Rory McIlroy (T8/-7)

  • 2025 U.S. Open champion J.J. Spaun (3rd/-10) cards a 4-under 66 on his 36th birthday; leads the field with 14 birdies

  • In search of his fourth victory this season, Chris Gotterup (T4/-9) trails by three following a 3-under 67

  • Sungjae Im (T4/-9) entered the week No. 40 in the FedExCup standings and is currently projected No. 28; has advanced to the TOUR Championship in each of his first seven seasons on TOUR

  • Other notable scores:

    • Three-time FedExCup champion and 2012 BMW Championship winner Rory McIlroy (T8/-7)

    • World No. 1 and defending champion Scottie Scheffler (T25/-3)

    • Reigning FedExCup Champion Tommy Fleetwood (T30/-2)

 FedExCup Playoffs:

  • Following this week’s BMW Championship, the top 30 players will advance to next week’s TOUR Championship

  • Players projected to move into the top 30:

    • Gary Woodland (2nd); from No. 31 to No. 17

    • Sungjae Im (T4); from No. 40 to No. 28

    • Michael Thorbjornsen (T6); from No. 41 to No. 30

  • Players projected to fall out of the top 30:

    • Kurt Kitayama (T37); from No. 28 to No. 32

    • Rickie Fowler (T37); from No. 30 to No. 33

    • Bud Cauley (47th); from No. 29 to No. 34



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