Rickie Fowler headed into the BMW Championship with little margin of error in the PGA Tour FedExCup Playoffs standings. Now, Fowler has some work to do in order to avoid playoff elimination.
After Fowler’s first two rounds, the golfer finds himself on the outside looking in when it comes to advancing to the Tour Championship. Following the BMW Championship, the top 30 golfers qualify for the Tour Championship with a PGA title on the line.
Fowler sits at No. 33 in the projected FedExCup Playoffs standings after his first two rounds. After a subpar first round, Fowler bounced back with a 1-under 69 in the second round.
Heading into the weekend, Fowler has more work to do in order to climb the standings and continue in the PGA Tour playoffs. Fowler’s tee time for the third round is 10:17 a.m. Eastern on Saturday, August 22.
Ahead of moving day, Fowler sat at T37 in the BMW Championship leaderboard.
Here’s what you need to know about the latest golf news.
FedExCup Playoffs Standings: Rickie Fowler Is Projected to be Eliminated After the BMW Championship
Ahead of the BMW Championship, Fowler was No. 30 in the FedExCup Playoffs standings. This made Fowler as the final golfer above the cut line prior to this week’s tournament.
Yet, there is a massive difference in dropping just a few spots in the standings with a trip to the Tour Championship on the line. Fowler has not played in the Tour Championship since 2023.
Rickie Fowler is Aiming to Qualify for the Tour Championship
Overall, Fowler has had a much improved 2026 when compared to previous seasons. In recent years, Fowler reunited with swing coach Butch Harmon.
The reunion appears to have paid off with better form on the course.
“I remember when he called me and said, ‘Is there any way, we can get back together?'” Harmon noted during an August 18, interview with the PGA Tour. “And I said, you have no idea how happy you just made me. I said, because I’ve been struggling watching you.
“… The game needs him to win. He’s one of those guys that people will actually walk up and buy a ticket to watch him play. And now that he’s playing well again, I mean, he could win this week, who knows?”
Revised Tour Championship Format Could Work in Rickie Fowler’s Favor, If Golfer Advances
Fowler’s needed finishing position at the BMW Championship depends on the golfers around him in the standings as well who are also fighting for survival. The PGA Tour tweaked the Tour Championship format in 2025.
All golfers who are in the East Lake field start at even par rather than a staggered leaderboard based on the standings. If Fowler is able to qualify for the Tour Championship, the golfer would have an opportunity to win the season title.
“I was not a fan of it,” Scottie Scheffler said of the old Tour Championship format in 2025, per ESPN. “I didn’t think it was a good way to end the year, for a variety of reasons.
“I’m much more happy with this format. I think having a good golf tournament on a really good golf course to finish off our season is extremely important.”
Rickie Fowler Dealt Unfortunate Career News at BMW Championship Amid FedExCup Playoffs