Wyndham Clark will enter Sunday’s BMW Championship with a five-shot lead and a chance to add another major milestone to an already strong 2026 season. The two-time U.S. Open champion sits at 17 under after rounds of 64, 64 and 65 at Bellerive Country Club, with Rory McIlroy and Patrick Cantlay tied for second at 12 under.
Clark’s focus will be on closing out the tournament, but he revealed that his preparation away from the course will also be important. With a sizable lead comes the challenge of managing the hours before the final round, and Clark said his girlfriend, Emily Tanner, has helped him stay present rather than dwell on the opportunity in front of him.
The final round also carries major FedExCup implications. A victory would move Clark to third in the standings and earn him automatic qualification for the U.S. Presidents Cup team. It would also give him his third PGA Tour win of 2026, following victories at the CJ Cup, Byron Nelson and U.S. Open.
Wyndham Clark Credits Emily Tanner Ahead of Final Round
Clark was asked about his morning preparation ahead of Sunday’s final round and how he would handle having five shots separating him from the chasing pack.
His answer centered on Tanner and the role she plays away from competitive golf.
“Fortunately, I got a great girlfriend I can hang out with and she distracts me and keeps me from worrying about what’s going on and I stay in the presence so she helps a lot,” Clark said.
That approach could be important as Clark prepares for another opportunity to convert a 54-hole lead.
He faced a similar situation at the U.S. Open earlier this year, when he took a six-shot advantage into the final round and held on to win his second U.S. Open title.
Clark has also spoken about the challenge of waking up with a large lead.
“You wake up and you have that little pit in your stomach, you’re excited to go play, and you wish you were teeing off right as you wake up so you didn’t have to think about it,” Clark said. “But it’s also fun. That’s kind of what we love as athletes and we chase after the moment, so I’m looking forward to it.”
Tanner has been part of Clark’s life throughout his recent run. The couple made their relationship public at the Masters in April, where Clark called Tanner his “good luck charm.”
Emily Tanner Begins New Chapter With Wyndham Clark
Tanner is also undergoing a significant personal change alongside Clark’s BMW Championship run.
Before the tournament, she announced that she was moving from California to live with Clark in Scottsdale, Arizona. Tanner documented the move in an Instagram video, explaining that it took three days to pack her belongings after spending five years in California.
“I think one of the most special parts about falling in love is realizing that the life you pictured for yourself can completely change when you find someone that you want to build it with,” Tanner said in the video.
She added, “After months of living out of a suitcase, I am so excited that I finally get to live with my best friend and start our new chapter together.”
Clark responded to the post by joking, “Where are you moving??? 😏” Tanner replied with a winking emoji.
The couple has also spent time together away from tournaments. Tanner has shared her interest in learning golf and wrote on Instagram, “Best kind of Sunday. Farmers market, church, & golf. (Yes I will be taking lessons soon 😅).”
For now, Clark’s attention remains on Bellerive. McIlroy and Cantlay are five shots behind, while Gary Woodland is six shots back and fighting to reach the Tour Championship.
Clark has the largest lead in the field. His preparation away from the course, he says, will involve keeping his attention on the present, with Tanner helping him do exactly that.
Wyndham Clark Reveals Sunday Morning Plans With Emily Tanner at BMW Championship