Ryan Gerard Takes Two-Shot Lead at BMW PGA Championship

By Staff Writer

September 19, 2026

2 min read

LoopGolf

Key takeaways

Ryan Gerard shot a bogey-free 7-under 65 in round two to reach 12 under at Wentworth.
Gerard leads Adam Scott by two shots; Aaron Rai sits at 9 under in third.
Rory McIlroy, Ryan Fox and J.J. Spaun are part of a five-way tie for sixth at 8 under.
Gerard was left off the U.S. Presidents Cup team before traveling to Europe to play the DP World Tour swing.
Only Billy Horschel and Arnold Palmer have won the BMW PGA Championship as Americans.

Ryan Gerard shot a bogey-free 7-under 65 on Friday to take a two-shot lead into the weekend at the BMW PGA Championship, the DP World Tour's marquee event at Wentworth Club in England.

How did Ryan Gerard build his lead?

Gerard closed his round with a birdie-eagle finish to reach 12 under through 36 holes. He is one of several Americans playing in Europe this week after being passed over for a captain's pick on the U.S. Presidents Cup team. Following a solo-third finish at the Tour Championship, Gerard flew to Switzerland for the Omega European Masters, where he finished tied for 30th, before arriving at Wentworth.

A really, really solid day of golf.

Australia's Adam Scott, who shot back-to-back 67s, sits two shots back at 10 under and will play in the final group alongside Gerard on Saturday. PGA Champion Aaron Rai is a further shot behind at 9 under.

Who else is in contention at Wentworth?

A five-way tie for sixth at 8 under includes Open champion Ryan Fox, two-time Masters winner Rory McIlroy and 2025 U.S. Open champion J.J. Spaun, who was also left out of the Presidents Cup lineup. McIlroy, who followed his opening 69 with a 67, is chasing his second BMW PGA Championship title.

Player	Score	Position
Ryan Gerard	12 under	1st
Adam Scott	10 under	2nd
Aaron Rai	9 under	3rd
Rory McIlroy, Ryan Fox, J.J. Spaun	8 under	T-6th

What is at stake this weekend?

Gerard and Spaun have a chance to join Horschel and Palmer as the only American winners of the BMW PGA Championship. Several contenders fell away during the second round, including a withdrawal due to injury, thinning the leaderboard heading into the weekend. Elsewhere, Alex Fitzpatrick holed a pitch shot for birdie on the par-5 18th to make the cut on the number in front of the home crowd, and Justin Rose recovered from an opening 73 with a second-round 67 to advance.

Frequently asked questions

Who is leading the BMW PGA Championship after round two?

Ryan Gerard leads at 12 under par after a bogey-free 65 in the second round at Wentworth Club.

Has an American ever won the BMW PGA Championship?

Yes. Billy Horschel and Arnold Palmer are the only Americans to have won the tournament.

Why was Ryan Gerard playing the DP World Tour this week?

Gerard was not selected for the U.S. Presidents Cup team and chose to play a run of European events, including the BMW PGA Championship, during the PGA Tour's fall break.