McIlroy’s BMW Championship momentum stalls as Clark takes lead

Key points

• McIlroy shot a 69 in the second round, finishing at seven-under, five shots behind leader Wyndham Clark.
• Clark, who has not made a bogey in two rounds, leads at 12-under, followed by Gary Woodland at 11-under.
• McIlroy’s approach play and short game were weak, ranking 39th and 41st respectively in strokes gained.
• Scheffler, who shot 72 in the first round, recovered with five birdies in the second to reach three-under.
• McIlroy praised the atmosphere at Bellerive, comparing it favorably to his 2018 PGA Championship experience.

Background

McIlroy’s performance at the BMW Championship follows a difficult week at the FedEx St. Jude Championship, where he struggled. He had returned to Florida for practice with coach Michael Bannon before the event, which helped him post a bogey-free 64 in the first round. The tournament is part of the FedEx Cup Playoffs, with the final round scheduled for Sunday.

How outlets are covering it

HITC and Sky Sports focused on McIlroy’s second-round performance and his comments on the crowd, noting his need to improve his iron play. BBC and PGA Tour highlighted the contrast between McIlroy’s strong first round and Scheffler’s poor start, with PGA Tour emphasizing the 'reverse roles' narrative. All sources agreed on the leaderboard standings and McIlroy’s plan to return to the driving range.

Why it matters

The BMW Championship is a key event in the FedEx Cup Playoffs, with the winner securing a spot in the Tour Championship. McIlroy’s performance could impact his playoff position, while Clark’s lead and Scheffler’s recovery are significant for the overall standings.

What to watch

McIlroy will head to the driving range to work on his iron play before the third round. Clark and Woodland will look to maintain their lead, while Scheffler will aim to recover further. The final round will determine the winner and the top 30 in the FedEx Cup standings.