Full Breakdown
2026 BMW Championship Returns to Bellerive Country Club
8/19/2026, 8:12:22 AM
Core Event
The PGA Tour’s FedExCup Playoffs move to Bellerive Country Club outside St. Louis for the second leg, the 2026 BMW Championship. The tournament offers the largest payout from a $20 million purse and delivers crucial postseason points. The field includes world-number-two Scott Scottie Scheffler, who entered as the pre-tournament favorite, alongside other recent top performers such as Ludvig Åberg, Xander Schauffele and Rory McIlroy.
Background and Recent History
Bellerive, a former major-championship venue, hosted Brooks Koepka’s first PGA Championship win in 2018 and previously held a non-major PGA Tour event in 2008 when Camilo Villegas claimed victory. The club’s reputation for demanding flag-to-green play makes it a notable stop in the FedExCup sequence, which also includes the St. Jude Championship and the Tour Championship at East Lake Golf Club.
Field Outlook and Data-Driven Projections
Data Golf assigns Scheffler an 18.1 % chance of winning the week, reflecting his recent eight-shot triumph at the St. Jude Championship and strong strokes-gained putting metrics. Course-fit analysis rates Rory McIlroy highest due to his season-long driving distance and accuracy, though his recent form is described as “bad.” Åberg ranks second on Data Golf’s list, with strong tee-to-green numbers but a putting rank of 60th, a weakness on a course where putting is especially decisive. Schauffele, a former top-25 finisher at Bellerive in 2018, is noted for his recent good form and “chip on his shoulder.”
Official Statements & Responses
Scheffler described his schedule as a “busy three-week stretch” and expressed excitement about the three tournaments that could shape his year-end standing.
Verbatim Quotes
- “I think my focus (in the majors), I don't know what it is, but I need to take it over into regular tour events too,” — Brooks Koepka
