U.S. Open Champs Dominate: Clark Grabs 36-Hole Lead at BMW Championship
Big Names Battle at the 2026 BMW Championship in St. Louis
What’s Happening at Bellerive?
The golf world has turned its eyes to St. Louis, Missouri, where the 2026 BMW Championship is underway at Bellerive Country Club. This isn’t just any tournament—it’s the second playoff event of the PGA Tour season, and only the top 50 players in the FedExCup standings earned an invitation.
After two days (36 holes) of play, the leaderboard is packed with major championship winners, making this one of the most exciting weekends of the year.
The Leader: Wyndham Clark
Wyndham Clark sits alone at the top after Friday’s round. Here’s why his performance is special:
- Two-time U.S. Open champion (most recently at Shinnecock)
- Went bogey-free for two straight rounds—something he’d never done in his previous 210 career tournaments
- Won the CJ Cup Byron Nelson just a month ago
- Strong contender for Player of the Year
Clark’s own words: "Feel like my putter still hasn’t gotten hot yet so it’ll be nice if it does over the weekend."
Gary Woodland’s Home-Course Advantage
Gary Woodland (2019 U.S. Open winner) is right on Clark’s heels—just one shot back after a bogey-free 65 on Friday.
Why This Week Means So Much to Woodland
| Situation | Details |
|---|---|
| FedExCup Position Entering Week | No. 31 |
| Projected Finish | No. 17 |
| Magic Number | Top 30 qualifies for Tour Championship at East Lake |
Woodland’s mindset: "My focus right now is one day at a time. I don’t have that luxury to look ahead."
The Kansas Connection
Woodland grew up in Kansas, just a few hours from St. Louis. This week, he’s playing in front of:
- High school friends
- College buddies
- A supportive local crowd
Woodland on the atmosphere: "It’s nice being close to home. It’s nice having so much support out here. The fans have been amazing. I’m definitely feeding off that energy, for sure."
Other Major Champions in the Mix
The leaderboard reads like a hall of fame of recent U.S. Open winners:
| Player | Major Wins | Current Position | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| J.J. Spaun | 2025 U.S. Open | Solo 3rd (-10) | Celebrated 36th birthday Friday |
| Rory McIlroy | 4-time major champ | Tied 5th (-8) | 5 shots back after 69 |
| Chris Gotterup | — | Tied 3rd (-9) | Shot 67 Friday |
| Sungjae Im | — | Tied 3rd (-9) | Shot career-low 64 Friday |
Fun fact: Clark, Woodland, McIlroy, Gotterup, and Spaun all shared the lead after Thursday’s opening round!
What’s at Stake This Weekend?
IMPORTANT: The Big Picture
This tournament decides three massive things for these players:
- Tour Championship Berth – Only the top 30 in FedExCup points after this week advance to the season finale at East Lake
- Presidents Cup Team – Performance here helps determine who represents the U.S. in the international team competition
- World Rankings & Player of the Year – Every shot matters for year-end honors
Clark summed it up perfectly: "It’s exciting to have this opportunity — there’s a lot on the line. You know, making it to East Lake, Presidents Cup team, world rankings — all the above."
How the Players Are Preparing for the Weekend
Woodland’s Recovery Plan (Ages 42 Edition)
- Dark room therapy – Cold, completely dark room
- Feet up – Legs elevated for circulation
- Brain reset – Mental decompression
- Target: 12 hours – "Hopefully for about 12 hours."
Woodland: "I’ll get in the dark room, get my feet up, let my brain reset — a cold, dark room for a while."
Summary
The 2026 BMW Championship at Bellerive is delivering exactly what golf fans love: major champions battling head-to-head with enormous consequences on the line.
- Wyndham Clark leads after a historic bogey-free 36 holes
- Gary Woodland (playing near his Kansas home) sits one back and desperately needs a top-30 finish to reach the Tour Championship
- Three U.S. Open winners (Clark, Woodland, Spaun) plus Rory McIlroy are all in the top 5
- The weekend will decide who advances to East Lake, who makes the Presidents Cup team, and who claims Player of the Year honors
With perfect scoring conditions and a leaderboard stacked with champions, Saturday and Sunday promise fireworks in the Show-Me State.
FAQ
What is the FedExCup, and why does the top 30 matter?
The FedExCup is the PGA Tour’s season-long points competition. After the regular season, the top 50 make the playoffs. After the BMW Championship (the second playoff event), only the top 30 advance to the Tour Championship at East Lake—the season finale where the FedExCup champion is crowned and wins a massive bonus.
Who is Gary Woodland, and why is this week so important for him?
Gary Woodland won the 2019 U.S. Open at Pebble Beach. He entered this week 31st in FedExCup points—one spot outside the top 30 needed to reach the Tour Championship. A strong finish at Bellerive could move him into the safe zone.
What does "bogey-free" mean?
In golf, a bogey means scoring one stroke over par on a hole. Bogey-free means a player completed their round without a single bogey (or worse)—only pars, birdies, and eagles. Doing this for two straight rounds is extremely rare, even for pros.
What is the Presidents Cup?
The Presidents Cup is a biennial team competition between the United States and an International Team (non-European players). Making the team is a huge honor. Strong play at the BMW Championship helps players earn points or catch the captain’s eye for a captain’s pick.
How can I watch the rest of the tournament?
The BMW Championship continues Saturday and Sunday at Bellerive Country Club. Check Golf Channel and NBC/Peacock for live coverage times, or visit the PGA Tour’s official website for streaming options.