The FedExCup Playoffs entered their second round on August 19, 2026, as the field of 50 golfers arrived at Bellerive Country Club in St. Louis, Missouri, for the BMW Championship. Bellerive, a long par‑70 layout measuring 7,448 yards with bentgrass greens, previously hosted the 2018 PGA Championship, which Brooks Koepka won.
What the course means for the competition
Known for rewarding strong driving and precise iron play, Bellerive is expected to produce a “birdie‑fest” especially with the forecast calling for rain that will soften the greens. Players who excel in Strokes Gained Off‑the‑Tee and Ball‑Striking have an advantage on this driver‑heavy venue.
Key players and recent form
World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler entered the tournament after a dominant victory at the FedEx St. Jude Championship, where he won by eight strokes and posted the only double‑digit under‑par round. While Scheffler remains a favorite, the betting market reflects his high odds, prompting some bettors to focus on alternative contenders.
American Chris Gotterup, who has three wins this season—including the John Deere Classic on a similar bentgrass course—has attracted attention. He ranks second in the field for Strokes Gained Off‑the‑Tee over the last 24 rounds and fourth for Ball‑Striking, according to Betsperts Golf data.
Japan’s Hideki Matsuyama, currently listed at +3000 at FanDuel, leads the field in birdie‑or‑better rate over the last 24 rounds and is second in Ball‑Striking over the last 12 rounds. His recent T7 finish at the St. Jude Championship and a streak of six consecutive T14‑or‑better finishes suggest he could capitalize on the softer conditions.
American Collin Morikawa, a former PGA Champion, leads the Tour in Strokes Gained: Approach this season and ranks 10th in driving accuracy. Though his odds sit at +3800 at DraftKings, his precision on approach shots could prove decisive on Bellerive’s challenging greens.
Another long‑shot, Michael Thorbjornsen, is listed at +5500 at BetMGM. He earned his first Tour win at the Rocket Classic, a driver‑heavy Midwest event with bentgrass greens, and has shown balanced gains across driving, approach, chipping, and putting in recent rounds.
Betting outlook
Analysts note that the odds for Gotterup appear softer than those for Si Woo Kim, Tommy Fleetwood, and Ludvig Åberg, none of whom have recorded a win this season. Gotterup’s consistency—making the cut at every major this year—places him fifth in the model used by Betsperts Golf.
Similarly, Matsuyama’s odds are considered long relative to his recent performance metrics, while Morikawa’s strong approach game offers value despite higher price tags.
Overall, the consensus among bettors is to look beyond Scheffler’s favorite status and consider players whose games align with Bellerive’s driver‑heavy, soft‑condition environment.
What’s next
The top 30 players in the FedExCup standings after the BMW Championship will advance to the TOUR Championship at East Lake Golf Club in Atlanta next week. The final event will determine the season‑long FedExCup champion.
For readers interested in following the action, live scoring and updates are available on the PGA Tour’s official website and major sports networks.
Original reporting: Fox News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
