St. Louis – On Friday, Wyndham Clark delivered another flawless round at the Bellerive Country Club, carding a second consecutive 6‑under 64. The two‑time U.S. Open champion now sits at 12‑under 128, preserving a one‑shot lead over fellow competitor Gary Woodland as the BMW Championship moves into its final days.
Clark’s steady play
Clark’s round was marked by precision and composure. The only moment of real pressure came on the 10th hole, where he faced an 18‑foot putt for par. He sank the putt and finished the day without a single bogey, reinforcing his reputation for consistency on the PGA Tour.
Woodland’s challenge
Missouri native Gary Woodland, who grew up just under four hours from St. Louis, posted a 65 after birdieing his final two holes. He drove a 2‑iron 608 yards on the 17th and finished with an 8‑foot wedge putt on the 18th. Despite the strong finish, Woodland remains one shot behind Clark and is coping with lingering side effects from brain surgery he underwent in 2023.
Woodland admitted fatigue after his round, saying, “I’m tired,” with a grin. He described his post‑round routine as resting in a cool, dark room to help reset his brain. He added, “My focus right now is one day at a time. I don’t have that luxury to look ahead. I have to take care of myself now and hope for rest tonight.”
Other contenders
Trailing the leaders, Sungjae Im recorded a 64 and sits three shots back at No. 40 in the FedEx Cup standings. Patrick Cantlay (No. 43) posted a 65, while Rocket Classic winner Michael Thorbjornsen (No. 41) carded a 66, both remaining within striking distance.
J.J. Spaun celebrated his 36th birthday with a 66, staying two shots behind Clark. All three players are already guaranteed a top‑30 finish in the FedEx Cup, securing spots in the season‑ending finale at East Lake in Atlanta.
Implications for the FedEx Cup race
Clark’s position at No. 5 in the FedEx Cup points list reflects his recent victories, including the U.S. Open and the CJ Cup Byron Nelson. While he cannot overtake current points leader Scottie Scheffler, who has already locked in the $23 million bonus for leading the race, Clark remains well‑placed heading into the Tour Championship.
Scheffler, battling an illness, posted a 65 on Friday but fell nine shots behind Clark after the round. Rory McIlroy managed only two birdies in a 69, leaving him five shots off the lead.
Local fan support
Woodland expressed appreciation for the St. Louis crowd, noting the energy from fans helped him stay competitive. “It’s nice being close to home. The fans have been amazing. I’m definitely feeding off that energy,” he said.
Clark, who previously threw the first pitch at a Detroit Tigers game, recalled a recent arm injury that caused him to miss the cut at the Rocket Classic. He rebounded by tying for fifth in the PGA Tour playoffs opener at TPC Southwind, positioning himself strongly for the remainder of the BMW Championship.
Looking ahead
With the tournament entering its final rounds, the battle for the FedEx Cup points will intensify. Clark aims to maintain his lead, while Woodland hopes to capitalize on his home‑state support and push forward despite health challenges. The outcome will shape the field heading to the Tour Championship at East Lake next week.
Original reporting: Texarkana Gazette — read the source article.
