BMW Championship Round 2 TV Coverage: How to Watch Friday

The Stage Is Set in St. Louis

There's something about Bellerive Country Club that makes the air feel different. Maybe it's the way morning light filters through those ancient oaks, or how the fairways seem to breathe with history. Whatever it is, Thursday's opening round of the 2026 BMW Championship reminded us why this St. Louis gem remains one of the most captivating venues in American golf.

And what a first act it was. Rory McIlroy, who limped into this second FedEx Cup playoff event after a forgettable showing at the opener, delivered a masterclass in precision—a bogey-free, six-under 64 that put him atop the leaderboard. He went four under over his final six holes alone, the kind of finish that makes you stop whatever you're doing and watch.

But McIlroy isn't alone at the summit. Wyndham Clark, J.J. Spaun, Gary Woodland, and Chris Gotterup all matched that 64, creating a five-way tie for the lead heading into Friday's second round. This is playoff golf at its finest—no cut line to worry about, just 70 of the world's best players fighting for position.

How to Watch Round 2 on Friday

If you're planning your Friday around the BMW Championship—and I strongly suggest you do—here's exactly how to catch the action from Bellerive.

Television Coverage

ESPN: 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. ET
Golf Channel: 3:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. ET

Streaming Options

PGA Tour Live on ESPN+: Streaming begins at 10:00 a.m. ET with exclusive early coverage, featured groups, and featured hole feeds
"Marquee Group: Quiet Please" on ESPN+: For those who prefer their golf without commentary—just the sounds of the course and the crack of the clubface
Golf Channel App: Simulcast of Golf Channel's afternoon television coverage

Featured Pairing to Watch

Rory McIlroy shifts to an earlier tee time for Round 2, going off at 10:47 a.m. ET alongside Xander Schauffele. Two of the game's most dynamic players, shoulder to shoulder on a course that rewards both power and precision—this is appointment viewing.

Why Bellerive Matters

I've walked Bellerive's fairways in every season, and there's a texture to this place that photographs can't capture. The Robert Trent Jones Sr. design, later renovated by his son Rees, offers that rare combination of championship teeth and genuine beauty. The par-3 third hole, with its peninsula green, can humble anyone who gets careless. The back nine demands focus as the routing weaves through more heavily wooded terrain.

For players like McIlroy, who arrived here needing a strong performance to secure his spot in next week's Tour Championship, Bellerive represents both challenge and opportunity. A bogey-free round suggests he's figured something out—his swing, his mindset, or perhaps just his relationship with this particular piece of Missouri real estate.

The Takeaway

With five players sharing the lead and no cut to separate contenders from also-rans, Friday's second round promises drama from first tee time to last putt. ESPN+ subscribers should log on early for the most comprehensive coverage, while those catching afternoon action will find Golf Channel's window from 3-7 p.m. ET perfectly positioned for the leaders coming home. McIlroy and Schauffele teeing off together at 10:47 a.m. ET might just be the pairing of the week—don't miss it.