The 2026 BMW Championship takes place from August 20-23 at Bellerive Country Club in St. Louis, Missouri, with a field of 50 remaining in the FedExCup Playoffs.
It is the second of the three FedExCup Playoffs events, with only the top 50 players in the standings qualifying for the field following last week’s FedEx St Jude Championship.
Bellerive is a par‑70, 7,448-yard layout that previously hosted the 2018 PGA Championship and will provided a test for the likes of Scottie Scheffler, Tommy Fleetwood, Xander Schauffele, Sam Burns and Cameron Young.
The BMW Championship’s no-cut format means all 50 golfers get four rounds to chase FedExCup points with the top 30 after Sunday advancing to the Tour Championship at East Lake.
Current 2026 BMW Championship Betting Odds
| Player | Betting Odds |
|---|---|
| Scottie Scheffler | 4.20 (21/5) |
| Rory McIlroy | 15.00 (15/1) |
| Tommy Fleetwood | 17.00 (17/1) |
| Xander Schauffele | 17.00 (17/1) |
| Ludvig Aberg | 19.00 (19/1) |
| Sam Burns | 19.00 (19/1) |
| Cameron Young | 21.00 (21/1) |
Leading Contenders for the 2026 BMW Championship
Scottie Scheffler
Scottie Scheffler is the clear favourite for victory at Bellerive following his eight shot win in last week’s FedEx St Jude Championship.
He arrives with a major FedExCup points advantage already secured following last weekend’s dominant win in which he finished on 17-under par.
Scheffler’s elite tee-to-green game can lead him towards another victory. If he can produce a solid putting week, the rest of the field will have a difficult task keeping pace.
Rory McIlroy
Rory McIlroy remains one of the few players with the power and scoring ceiling to match Scheffler in an elite field, but he will need a major turnaround from last week.
His driving can create opportunities on Bellerive’s longer holes, but precise approaches will be equally important on a venue built to expose any looseness in the long game.
McIlroy needs to put last week behind him, start quickly and give himself a steady flow of birdie looks. If he game clicks, he has all the weapons required to make a serious charge.
Tommy Fleetwood
Tommy Fleetwood heads to St. Louis as the reigning FedExCup champion and he can be in the thick of things again.
His controlled ball flight and consistently high-quality iron play give him an appealing profile for Bellerive, especially if the tournament becomes a test of patience rather than an outright birdie contest.
If he maintains his recent form and finds enough putts, Fleetwood has the composure needed to excel in a playoff environment.
Xander Schauffele
Xander Schauffele is one of the most dependable performers in high-pressure, limited-field tournaments.
His all-round consistency, measured decision-making and excellent major pedigree make him a natural fit for the Playoffs’ most selective stage.
If he keeps the driver under control and takes advantage of the par‑5 opportunities, Scheffler should be a factor well into Sunday.
Ludvig Aberg
Ludvig Aberg is one of the most dangerous modern ball-strikers in the game with his blend of power and precision making Bellerive an intriguing fit.
It is a 7,448-yard course that should reward players who can create a short-iron advantage from the tee and Aberg fits the bill.
If he gets comfortable with Bellerive’s greens early, Aberg has the ceiling to beat any player in this compact field.
Sam Burns
Sam Burns is one of the form horses in the field and brings huge putting upside into a no-cut event where every player has time to make a run.
Burns will need to be sharp from tee to green on a demanding par 70, but if he gets the putter going – as he has of late – he can create the kind of momentum that changes the entire tournament.
The American is one of the more interesting attacking options among the leading group.
Cameron Young
Cameron Young rounds out the featured contenders and brings clear power-based option to Bellerive.
His driving distance can be a major asset on this lengthy layout, although his challenge will be keeping enough balls in fairways to make the most of that advantage.
If he combines controlled driving with a positive putting week, he has the firepower to produce the low rounds required to win.
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