Rory McIlroy found himself heading back to the practice range after his momentum stalled during the second round of the BMW Championship in St. Louis. The defending Masters champion had opened the tournament with an impressive six‑under‑par 66, sharing the lead after the first round. However, his Friday round produced only a modest improvement, a 69, which left him just one shot ahead of his opening total.

When asked by the Golf Channel about the day’s conditions, McIlroy noted that the weather felt familiar compared to the previous day, but there were subtle differences that affected play. "The wind shifted direction a bit, but it was still very scorable," he said. He added that the greens remained soft and the fairways seemed to allow a little more roll, which meant that low scores were still achievable for the field. "I didn’t strike the ball as cleanly as I did yesterday," McIlroy admitted, explaining why he decided to spend the afternoon on the range.

"I think a few extra hours hitting balls will help me regain the feel I had on Thursday." Despite the setback, McIlroy expressed satisfaction with his resilience. "I’m proud of how I just hung in there," he said.

He highlighted a series of solid par putts on the back nine, noting that the only bogey he recorded came from a mistake on the par‑five eighth hole. "I made some very good par saves afterward, and that kept me in contention," he added.

McIlroy also praised the atmosphere created by the fans at Bellerive. The six‑time major winner recalled his first visit to the course in 2018 for the PGA Championship, emphasizing how the crowd’s energy had left a lasting impression.

"The fans are amazing. One of the biggest memories I have from 2018 is how many people turned out and the incredible vibe they created," he said. "Yesterday was a fantastic Thursday, and today, teeing off at 9:45 a.m., the crowd was just as enthusiastic. I’m looking forward to more of that energy over the weekend." While McIlroy was working on his game, other storylines unfolded on the leaderboard.

Two‑time U.S. Open champion Wyndham Clark, the only player in the field who had not yet dropped a shot, continued to lead with a total of 12 under par after posting consecutive rounds of 64. Gary Woodland trailed just one shot behind, while fellow American JJ Spaun appeared poised to take control of the second round after moving to 11 under at the turn.

Spaun’s momentum was briefly halted by three bogeys on the back nine, but he recovered with two birdies, including a clutch birdie on the final hole, finishing as the clubhouse leader among early starters at 10 under. World No.

1 Scottie Scheffler, who had posted a 72 in the opening round and found himself two over par, stumbled on the first hole of the day with a bogey. Nevertheless, he rallied after the turn, carding five birdies and climbing back into contention, albeit tied for 25th at three under par.

The tournament schedule for the PGA Tour in 2026 includes several high‑profile events, and fans can stream the action without a contract through various platforms. Golf enthusiasts in the United Kingdom can catch live coverage of the BMW Championship on Sky Sports Golf at 4 p.m.

on Saturday, with an additional broadcast on Sky Sports Main Event at 8:30 p.m. Those without a Sky subscription can explore streaming deals on NOW or other services that offer contract‑free access. For players and amateurs alike, the opportunity to book a round at one of the 1,700 courses across the UK and Ireland remains available through online platforms, where users can simply enter a course name, city, or postal code to find the best rates.

While a search for a specific location may sometimes return no results, the system encourages users to try alternative queries to locate nearby options. Overall, McIlroy’s decision to spend extra time on the range reflects a professional’s commitment to fine‑tuning every aspect of his game, especially when conditions shift and the margin for error narrows. His respect for the fans, combined with his determination to rebound, sets the tone for the remainder of the championship as he aims to climb back up the leaderboard and contend for the title.