t. Louis, August 22, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Wyndham Clark maintained his impressive form at Bellerive Country Club, carding a second consecutive six-under 64 to take a one-shot lead at 12-under 128 after 36 holes of the BMW Championship in St. Louis.
Gary Woodland moved into second at 11-under 129 after a 65, while J.J. Spaun, playing on his 36th birthday, was another shot back at 10-under following a 66.
For the Indian-origin contingent, Akshay Bhatia remains comfortably placed and is the only player among them assured of advancing to next week’s Tour Championship at this stage. The Indian-American, backed by Hero, followed his opening-round 67 with a two-under 68 to reach five-under 135 and sit tied 16th.
Bhatia made four birdies against two bogeys in his second round and is currently 15th in the FedExCup standings. With only the top 30 players qualifying for the season-ending Tour Championship at East Lake, his current position guarantees his place in Atlanta.
Indo-British golfer Aaron Rai, the reigning PGA Champion, is tied 34th at one-under 139 after rounds of 68 and 71. Sahith Theegala, also backed by Hero, is tied 48th at three-over 143 following rounds of 71 and 72.
Rai is currently 40th in the FedExCup standings, while Theegala is 49th, leaving both with a difficult task over the final 36 holes if they are to break into the top 30.
At the top of the leaderboard, Clark has been remarkably consistent. The two-time US Open champion has remained bogey-free through 36 holes and reached 12-under 128. His strongest challenge came in the opening round when he needed an 18-foot putt to save par on the 10th hole.
Clark arrived in St. Louis with considerable momentum after finishing tied fifth at last week’s FedExCup Playoffs opener at TPC Southwind.
Woodland’s 65 was highlighted by a strong finish. He birdied his final two holes, hitting a 2-iron to the 608-yard 17th before placing his wedge to eight feet on the 18th.
Woodland has also benefited from strong local support in Missouri, having grown up less than four hours away in Kansas. Currently ranked No. 31 in the FedExCup standings, his bid to break into the top 30 has added significance to his weekend challenge.
His resurgence comes after significant health challenges and brain surgery in 2023. Woodland said he was tired after his round and would focus on recovery rather than looking too far ahead as he attempts to reach the Tour Championship for the first time in six years.
Spaun is third at 10-under 130, while Sungjae Im surged with a 64 to move to seven-under. Im, ranked No. 40 in the FedExCup standings, is attempting to continue his run of qualifying for the Tour Championship every season since joining the PGA Tour in 2019.
Patrick Cantlay and Rocket Classic winner Michael Thorbjornsen are tied at eight-under 132.
World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler recovered from his opening 72 with a 65 but remains nine shots behind Clark. Scheffler has already secured the $23 million bonus for leading the FedExCup standings into East Lake, while Rory McIlroy is five shots off the pace after a 69.
With two rounds remaining, Clark holds the advantage at the top, while the fight for the remaining Tour Championship berths is set to intensify. Bhatia has already secured his place in Atlanta, but Rai and Theegala will need strong final two rounds to join him.
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