Rory McIlroy headed straight for the practice range after his performance slipped during the second round of the BMW Championship in St. Louis. The defending Masters champion opened the tournament with an impressive six‑under‑par 66, sharing the lead with a handful of competitors.
However, on Friday he was only able to add a single stroke to his total, carding a 69 that left him trailing the leaders. When asked by the Golf Channel about his round, McIlroy noted that the playing conditions were largely similar to those of the previous day. "The wind shifted a bit, coming from a different direction, but it was still very scorable," he explained.
He added that the greens remained soft and the fairways offered a little more roll, meaning that low scores were still attainable for the field. Despite the relatively favorable set‑up, McIlroy admitted that his ball‑striking was not as sharp as it had been on Thursday.
"I didn't quite hit the ball as well as I did yesterday, so I'm probably going to spend an afternoon on the range working on my swing," he said. He also expressed satisfaction with his resilience, highlighting a series of solid par putts on the back nine. The only blemish on his card was a bogey on the par‑five eighth hole, which resulted from a mis‑execution, but he recovered with a number of clutch par saves that helped him stay in contention. McIlroy also took a moment to praise the atmosphere at Bellerive.
The six‑time major winner recalled his first visit to the venue in 2018 for the PGA Championship, emphasizing how the enthusiastic crowd contributed to the overall experience. "The fans are amazing," he said. "One of the biggest things I remember from 2018 was how many people turned out and the great vibe they created. Yesterday was fantastic 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." In the broader leaderboard, two‑time U.S. Open champion Wyndham Clark continued his dominant run, maintaining a 12‑under‑par lead after posting back‑to‑back 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‑par at the turn. Spaun, however, encountered three bogeys on the back nine, which halted his momentum.
He finished the day as the clubhouse leader among the early starters with a 10‑under‑par total, thanks to two late birdies, including a decisive one on the final hole. World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler, who opened with a 72 that left him two over par, struggled early on Friday, carding a bogey on the first hole.
Nevertheless, he rebounded after the turn, stringing together five birdies that lifted him back into contention. Despite the resurgence, Scheffler remained tied for 25th place at three under par. The tournament will continue on Saturday, with live coverage beginning at 4 p.m. on Sky Sports Golf and at 8:30 p.m.
on Sky Sports Main Event. Fans without a Sky subscription can explore streaming options through NOW TV, which offers contract‑free access to the event.
Overall, McIlroy’s decision to head back to the range underscores his commitment to fine‑tuning his game ahead of the final rounds. While his second‑round score fell short of his opening performance, his optimism about the conditions and his appreciation for the supportive crowd suggest he remains focused on making a push for the title as the championship progresses.