Rory McIlroy found himself heading back to the practice range after his performance slipped a bit during the second round of the BMW Championship at Bellerive Country Club in St. Louis.

The defending Masters champion opened the tournament with an impressive six‑under‑par 65, which put him in a tie for the lead after round one. However, on Friday he was only able to improve his total by a single stroke, carding a 69 that left him trailing the leaders. During his post‑round interview with the Golf Channel, McIlroy noted that the conditions were largely similar to those he had faced the previous day, but there were a few subtle differences that affected play.

"The wind shifted direction a little, but it was still very scorable," he explained. He added that the greens remained soft and the fairways seemed to allow the ball a bit more roll than usual, which meant that low scores were still very much within reach for the field. McIlroy admitted that his own ball‑striking wasn’t as crisp as it had been on Thursday. "I didn’t hit the ball as well as I did yesterday, so I think I’ll spend some time on the range this afternoon to get back on track," he said.

Despite the dip in his game, he expressed pride in his resilience, highlighting the number of crucial par putts he saved on the back nine. "I managed to hang in there, especially with all those good par saves on the latter holes. The only bogey I made was on the par‑five eighth after a mistake, but I recovered well on the following holes," McIlroy added. He also took a moment to praise the enthusiastic crowd at Bellerive.

The six‑time major winner recalled his first visit to the venue in 2018 for the PGA Championship, noting how the large, energetic fan base contributed to a vibrant atmosphere. "The fans are amazing. One of the biggest memories I have from 2018 was just how many people turned out and how great the vibe was. Yesterday was fantastic for a Thursday, and today, teeing off at 9:45 a.m., the crowd was just as incredible.

I’m looking forward to the same energy over the weekend," he said. Meanwhile, the leaderboard continued to shift.

Two‑time U.S. Open champion Wyndham Clark, who had not yet recorded a bogey, surged ahead with a total of 12 under after posting consecutive rounds of 64.

Gary Woodland trailed by a single stroke, while fellow American JJ Spaun appeared poised to take command of the second round after moving to 11 under at the turn. Spaun, however, stumbled with three bogeys on the back nine, though he managed two birdies—including a decisive one on the final hole—to finish as the clubhouse leader among early starters at 10 under. World No.

1 Scottie Scheffler, who had opened with a 72 and was two strokes over par, also faced a rough start, bogeying the first hole. He rebounded strongly after the turn, stringing together five birdies that lifted him back into contention, albeit at a modest three under and tied for 25th place. The tournament’s schedule remains packed, with live coverage of the BMW Championship slated to continue on Saturday from 4 p.m. on Sky Sports Golf and 8:30 p.m.

on Sky Sports Main Event. For fans without a Sky subscription, streaming options are available through NOW with no contract required.

Beyond the immediate action, the PGA Tour’s 2026 calendar is already generating buzz, featuring a mix of traditional events and new venues that promise to test the world’s best golfers across varied courses and conditions. As the weekend unfolds, spectators can expect further drama at Bellerive, where the combination of soft greens, shifting winds, and a passionate crowd will continue to shape the competition. For those interested in playing the sport themselves, a wide network of over 1,700 courses across the United Kingdom and Ireland offers opportunities to book a round at competitive rates.

Golf enthusiasts can search by course name, city, or postal code to find nearby options, although the current search returned no results, suggesting users try alternative queries. In summary, while McIlroy’s round did not match the brilliance of his opening 65, his determination to refine his game on the range, coupled with his appreciation for the supportive fans, underscores his competitive spirit.

As the leaderboard tightens and other contenders like Clark, Woodland, Spaun, and Scheffler vie for the top spot, the BMW Championship promises an exciting finish to the weekend.