Rory McIlroy headed straight for the driving range on Friday after his momentum stalled during the second round of the BMW Championship at Bellerive Country Club in St. Louis.
The 2023 Masters champion had opened the tournament with an impressive six‑under‑par 66, sharing the lead with a handful of other contenders. However, his follow‑up round yielded only a modest one‑stroke improvement, as he carded a 69 and slipped down the leaderboard. When asked by the Golf Channel about the day’s conditions, McIlroy noted that the weather was broadly similar to the previous day, but with a key difference in wind direction. "The wind was coming out of a different direction, but still very scorable," he said.
He added that the greens remained soft and the fairways offered a little extra roll, which kept scoring opportunities alive for the field. "I didn’t hit the ball as cleanly as I did yesterday, so I’m probably going to spend the afternoon on the range working on my swing," McIlroy explained. Despite the setback, McIlroy expressed satisfaction with his resilience.
"I’m proud of how I just hung in there," he remarked, highlighting a series of solid par putts on the back nine that helped him stay competitive. The only blemish on his card was a bogey on the par‑five eighth hole, a result of a mis‑hit. Yet, he recovered with a string of strong par saves that kept him within striking distance of the leaders.
McIlroy also took a moment to praise the fans at Bellerive. "They’re amazing," the six‑time major winner said, recalling his first visit to the venue during the 2018 PGA Championship.
"One of the biggest things I remember from being here in 2018 was how many people turned out and the great atmosphere it created. Yesterday was amazing for a Thursday, and today, teeing off at 9:45 a.m., the crowd was incredible. I’m looking forward to more of the same over the weekend." Behind McIlroy’s round, the leaderboard continued to shift.
Two‑time U.S. Open champion Wyndham Clark, the only competitor in the field who had not yet dropped a shot, maintained his lead with a total of 12 under par after posting back‑to‑back 64s.
Gary Woodland trailed by a single stroke, while fellow American JJ Spaun seemed poised to seize control after moving to 11 under at the turn. Spaun’s momentum was halted by three bogeys on the back nine, but two timely birdies—including a clutch birdie on the final hole—secured him the clubhouse lead among the early starters at 10 under. World No.
1 Scottie Scheffler, who had opened with a two‑over 72, stumbled on the first hole of the day with a bogey. Nevertheless, he rallied after the turn, stringing together five birdies that lifted him back into contention.
Though his round left him at three under and tied for 25th place, the comeback demonstrated his capacity to recover quickly. The tournament’s schedule continues into Saturday, with live coverage slated to begin at 4 p.m. on Sky Sports Golf and at 8:30 p.m. on Sky Sports Main Event.
For viewers without a Sky subscription, streaming options are available through NOW with no‑contract deals, ensuring fans can follow the action wherever they are. As the field prepares for the final day, the narrative remains one of tight competition, shifting weather patterns, and the ever‑present challenge of translating practice‑range work into tournament success. McIlroy’s decision to spend additional time on the range underscores the importance of fine‑tuning fundamentals when the margins are razor‑thin. Whether the adjustments pay off on Sunday will be a key storyline, as the world watches to see if the Northern Irish star can reclaim his early‑round form and contend for the championship title.
Beyond the immediate competition, the BMW Championship serves as a pivotal event on the PGA Tour’s 2026 schedule, offering valuable FedEx Cup points and a chance for players to solidify their standing ahead of the season‑ending FedEx Cup playoffs. With the likes of Clark, Woodland, Spaun, and Scheffler all in the mix, the final round promises high drama, strategic shot‑making, and the potential for a surprise winner to emerge. For golf enthusiasts looking to experience the game firsthand, there are currently 1,700 courses across the UK and Ireland where you can book a round, with pricing and availability displayed through various online platforms.
Simply enter a course name, city, or postal code to find the best options near you. In summary, Rory McIlroy’s early exit to the range reflects both the challenges of maintaining peak performance across consecutive days and his commitment to continual improvement.
As the tournament progresses, fans can expect more thrilling golf, compelling storylines, and the ever‑present possibility of a dramatic turnaround on the final day.