ST. LOUIS — J.J. Spaun’s 36th birthday should be one he’ll remember.
The 2025 U.S. Open winner rattled off four straight birdies on his front nine, sparking a 4-under 66 on Friday at Bellerive Country Club. He finished the day at 10 under, two behind leader Wyndham Clark.
A day that ended in good spirits for Spaun began in a very similar manner — even if a tad earlier than Dad would have preferred on a tournament day.
“My girls got up early and they were so happy to tell me, Happy Birthday. They blew up a bunch of balloons,” said Spaun. “I jokingly told my daughter I wanted a ‘Toy Story’-themed birthday, so they brought some stuff, and it’s been fun.”
Spaun’s front-nine 30 helped break up a five-way tie atop the leaderboard at the sun-soaked BMW Championship.
Like first round co-leader Gary Woodland, Spaun was mistake-free through 17 holes on Thursday only to bogey the par-4 18th.
He found redemption on that very hole on Friday, with a birdie that moved him into the solo lead at 10 under and helped him regain a little bit of lost momentum following back-to-back bogeys at Nos. 14 and 15.
“That was a nice way to end the day — kind of hit a little rough patch on 14, 15 with a poor three-putt and a poor second shot on 14,” Spaun admitted. “But that’s golf, it happens. It was good to hit a really good drive — I didn’t think I could reach that bunker, the wind has just been everywhere bouncing north and south and from the west. But, yeah, to hit a nice little iron shot out of the bunker to about 5, 6 feet and pour it in was a good way to stop the bleeding and end a good round.”
Something about the front nine at Bellerive suits Spaun a bit more than the back. He recorded three consecutive birdies before making the turn in his first round. On Friday, he did one better — circling four straight holes, Nos. 3 through 6.
“Wasn’t really thinking much,” said Spaun, who credited being in a great mental space heading over to the course. “I kind of did something similar yesterday. I made like three birdies in a row. … hitting more quality shots and having more opportunities and then the putter’s been cooperating really well these first two rounds, so birdies were flying early.”
Gary Woodland kept the momentum going on Friday at Bellerive, putting together a bogey-free 65 but was outdone late by fellow U.S. Open champ Wyndham Clark, who carries the 36-hole lead into the weekend.
Crowded leaderboard
Rory McIlroy also grabbed a share of the lead Thursday but failed to keep pace a day later.
The world’s No. 2-ranked player is now five shots behind Clark after a 69.
Clark took the solo lead late on Friday, completing 36 holes of bogey-free golf to enter the weekend at 12 under — one shot ahead of Woodland.
Chris Gotterup was among the 18-hole co-leaders and shot 67 in Round 2 to finish the day at 9 under, tied with Sungjae Im (64). Im was No. 40 in FedExCup points ahead of the BMW, and is now projected to make the field at East Lake.
The top 30 players will qualify for the PGA Tour’s playoff finale. Here’s how those around the cut line are faring at Bellerive.