Scheffler and McIlroy head 50-man field for BMW Championship
The FedEx Cup Playoffs move to Bellerive Country Club as the defending champion and the Masters winner seek to secure their positions in the season-long race.
The 2026 BMW Championship commences on 20 August at Bellerive Country Club in St. Louis, Missouri, marking the second leg of the FedEx Cup Playoffs. The tournament, which carries a $20 million purse, features a reduced field of 50 players, down from 70 following the conclusion of the St. Jude Championship. This event serves as a critical juncture for competitors aiming to qualify for the Tour Championship at East Lake.
World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler enters the competition as the defending champion, having secured his title at Caves Valley in the previous season. The four-time major champion and 21-time PGA Tour winner is positioned to extend his momentum in the postseason. His presence on the course, designed by Robert Trent Jones, Sr., highlights the strength of the top tier in the current standings.
Rory McIlroy, a three-time winner of the BMW Championship, also leads the field of contenders. The Masters champion faces the challenge of recovering from a recent performance in Memphis, where he beat only two players during his return to competition. McIlroy views the upcoming eight rounds as an opportunity to address any inconsistencies in his game before the final playoff event.
The course at Bellerive, a par 70 stretching approximately 7,448 yards, has not hosted a professional golf tournament since the 2018 PGA Championship. The layout is considered suitable for big hitters and ball strikers, a characteristic that aligns with the playing styles of the leading contenders. The return to this historic venue adds a layer of significance to the competition.
In the race for the remaining spots in the Tour Championship, Viktor Hovland is currently the last player, ranked No. 22, with a 100 per cent chance of qualifying. Players such as Alex Smalley, Justin Rose, Ryan Fox, and Tom Kim trail Hovland but retain a high probability of making the cut. The competitive pressure intensifies for those lower in the standings, including Adam Scott, who is noted for his familiarity with the Bellerive course.
Sungjae Im, who qualified for the field during the previous weekend's event, is positioned at No. 40 in the season-long race. He is closely followed by former BMW Championship winners Justin Thomas and Patrick Cantlay, while PGA Championship winner Aaron Rai sits at No. 37. The final standings will be determined by the end of play on Sunday, 23 August.
