---
title: "Clark wins BMW Championship, beats McIlroy"
url: https://www.heregreenwood.com/2026/08/24/wyndham-clark-bmw-championship-victory/
date: 2026-08-24T10:23:59+00:00
modified: 2026-08-24T10:23:59+00:00
author: "Jake Kumar"
categories: ["Golf"]
site: "HERE Greenwood"
attribution: "HERE Greenwood"
---

# Clark wins BMW Championship, beats McIlroy

*Source: [HERE Greenwood](https://www.heregreenwood.com/2026/08/24/wyndham-clark-bmw-championship-victory/) — August 24, 2026 by Jake Kumar*

Wyndham Clark claimed his third PGA Tour victory of the season at the BMW Championship on Monday, August 24, 2026, overcoming a five-shot lead he held overnight. Clark finished two shots ahead of Patrick Cantlay, with Rory McIlroy placing third.

The final day at Bellerive Country Club saw Clark bogey three of his first 10 holes, allowing McIlroy and other competitors to close the gap. McIlroy made three birdies within a four-hole stretch around the turn, drawing level with Clark as they approached the final holes.

Clark, the US Open champion, secured his win with a strong finish, posting three birdies in the closing stretch. His level-par 70 for the final round brought his total to 17 under par. This victory follows his earlier wins at the CJ Cup Byron Nelson and the US Open.

McIlroy was tied for the lead with three holes remaining but ended four shots back after a bogey on the penultimate hole and Clark’s late birdie surge. Gary Woodland, Collin Morikawa, and Chris Gotterup shared fourth place.

Clark’s initial advantage was immediately reduced by a two-shot swing on the first hole, where he three-putted for a bogey while McIlroy birdied. McIlroy later birdied the eighth and ninth holes, reaching the turn two shots behind. He then pulled level with a birdie on the 11th after Clark bogeyed the start of his back nine.

Cantlay also briefly shared the lead before a double-bogey on the 11th. Clark broke a birdie-free streak on the final day with a 15-foot putt on the 16th, followed by another birdie on the par-five 17th after McIlroy encountered bunker trouble and bogeyed. Cantlay finished strong with birdies on his final three holes, setting a clubhouse target of 14 under. Clark sealed his fifth PGA Tour win with a final 15-foot birdie putt.

Clark expressed satisfaction with his performance, noting that the challenging finish made the victory more exciting and demonstrated his standing as a top player. He also highlighted that three wins in one season marked his best year yet. McIlroy acknowledged he is still working on his game and swing but was pleased to contend for a win even when not at his best.

Morikawa made an eagle on the par-five 17th but bogeyed the last, finishing at 12 under alongside Woodland and Gotterup. Scotland’s Robert MacIntyre moved to tied-seventh after a five-under 65, extending his season.

The PGA Tour season will conclude at the Tour Championship at East Lake Golf Club, where the top 30 players will compete for the FedExCup.