Full Breakdown
2026 BMW Championship: Playoff Showdown at Bellerive Country Club
8/20/2026, 9:08:03 PM
Event Overview
The second leg of the FedEx Cup Playoffs is being contested at Bellerive Country Club in St. Louis. The tournament runs from Thursday through Sunday, with first-round coverage beginning at 10 a.m. Eastern on Thursday and the final round streaming from 9:15 a.m. Eastern on Sunday. The event follows Scottie Scheffler’s eight-shot victory in Memphis, which secured his position atop the FedEx Cup standings heading into St. Louis.
Field and Stakes
The field consists of the top 50 players in the FedEx Cup points list. Notable competitors include Sam Burns, Ludvig Åberg, Tommy Fleetwood, and world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler, who aims to become the first back-to-back BMW champion since Patrick Cantlay in 2021-2022. The tournament offers a $20 million purse, with $3.6 million awarded to the winner and 750 FedEx Cup points. At the conclusion, the top 30 in the standings will advance to the Tour Championship at East Lake Golf Club in Atlanta, where a $23 million bonus awaits the overall champion.
Course History and Renovations
Bellerive Country Club, a Robert Trent Jones-designed layout, hosted the 1965 U.S. Open—making it the second youngest course to hold the championship in the 20th century. The venue later staged the 2018 PGA Championship and is now a favored stop for the PGA of America. Architect Rees Jones has updated the course: bunkers have been repositioned farther from the tees, a pond in front of the 17th green was filled in, and new chipping areas were added adjacent to several putting surfaces. These changes aim to challenge today’s long hitters while preserving the course’s classic character.
Broadcast and Viewing Options
Fans can watch the first and second rounds on ESPN and via the ESPN App, with additional streaming on Disney+. The third and final rounds are available exclusively through the ESPN App. All coverage is presented in Eastern Time and may be subject to change.
Implications for the FedEx Cup Race
Scheffler’s dominant start gives him a clear advantage, but the “bubble” battle remains intense. Rickie Fowler holds a narrow two-point lead over Gary Woodland for the 31st spot, while J.T. Poston, Nicolai Højgaard, Alex Noren, Jake Knapp and Robert MacIntyre sit just outside the top 30. Their performances this weekend will determine who secures the coveted two-year PGA Tour exemption and a chance at the season-ending bonus.
