The 2025 Bank of Utah Championship is the fourth stop in the FedExCup Fall, a seven-tournament series held after the TOUR Championship that determines player eligibility for the 2026 PGA TOUR season.
Pre-Tournament Storylines:
Xander Wins the Baycurrent Classic
Xander Schauffele captured his 10th career PGA TOUR victory with a final-round 64 to edge Max Greyserman by one stroke at the Baycurrent Classic. With the win, Schauffele becomes the 119th player in TOUR history to reach double-digit victories.
We backed Xander at 10-1 in our Baycurrent Classic Preview and Picks!
Matt McCarty Looks to Defend His Title in Utah
Matt McCarty returns to the Bank of Utah Championship as the defending champion after capturing his first PGA TOUR title here in 2024. The win came in just his third career TOUR start and second as a full-time member, making him the second player to win on TOUR in the same season after earning the Korn Ferry Tour’s Three-Victory Promotion.
This season, McCarty has recorded nine top-25s and two top-10s (T4 at the RBC Canadian Open and T8 at the Wyndham Championship). He enters the week ranked No. 84 in the FedExCup Fall standings and riding momentum from a career-low 60 in the final round of the Baycurrent Classic, where he finished T14.
Tournament Information:
Social Media:
Course Information:
Course Architect:
Comparable Courses:
Comparable Location (Ivins, Utah):
Designer Link (Tom Weiskopf):
- Torrey Pines Golf Course (North Course) – Tom Weiskopf (2016) – Farmers Insurance Open
- TPC Scottsdale (Stadium Course) – Tom Weiskopf & Jay Morrish (1986) – WM Phoenix Open
- TPC Craig Ranch – Tom Weiskopf (2004) – THE CJ CUP Byron Nelson
Comparable Yardage (7,421 Yards):
Comparable Greens (007XL bentgrass .120”):
Comparable Average Green Size (7,000 sq. ft.):
TV Information (all times ET):
Weather:
Course/ Tournament History:
The Bank of Utah Championship, formerly known as the Black Desert Championship, made its PGA TOUR debut last season. The 2024 event marked the first PGA TOUR tournament held in Utah since the 1963 Utah Open Invitational. Black Desert Resort once again serves as the host venue for this year’s championship.
Course updates since last year include the addition of a fairway bunker on hole No. 1 and new back tees on holes 1, 3, 10, and 18, extending the course by more than 50 yards.
Previous Tournament Venues:
| Duration | Course | Location: |
| 2024-Present | Black Desert Resort Golf Course | Ivins, Utah, United States |
Previous Tournament Names:
Tournament Records:
- 72-Hole Record:
- 261, Matt McCarty (2024)
- 18-Hole Record:
- 60, Adam Svensson (first round, 2024)
Course Guide/ Scorecard:
Black Desert Resort measures 7,421 yards, making it the 15th longest course on the PGA TOUR this season, though it doesn’t play to its full distance due to the altitude. The fairways are narrow, averaging just 30 yards wide, ranking as the 12th narrowest on TOUR. Accuracy off the tee is crucial, as minimal rough leaves little margin for error, and wayward shots can easily find the surrounding lava rock. The greens are larger than the TOUR average at roughly 7,000 square feet, placing added emphasis on precise approach play. With only 44 bunkers—the third fewest on TOUR—and water coming into play on just two holes, hazards are limited, putting the focus squarely on ball striking.
The four Par 3s at Black Desert Resort range from 151 to 202 yards, placing a premium on precision and smart club selection. In last year’s Bank of Utah Championship, every Par 3 had a scoring average under par.
Hole 3 | Par 3 | 198 Yards | 2024 Stroke Average: 2.978 (Difficulty Rank – 9)
Hole 3 is a par three with a bunker in the middle of the green, inspired by Riviera’s sixth hole, allowing for creative, challenging putts.
Hole 17 | Par 3 | 151 Yards | 2024 Stroke Average: 2.902 (Difficulty Rank – 12)
Hole 17 is a 155-yard par three with a small green surrounded by three bunkers, rewarding accurate tee shots and good putting.
Black Desert Resort features eleven par 4s, most of which are listed at 500+ yards. Strategy plays a major role, particularly on holes that offer tempting risk-reward opportunities. In 2024, the two toughest par 4s were No. 11 and No. 13.
Hole 6 | Par 4 | 450 Yards | 2024 Stroke Average: 4.008 (Difficulty Rank – 6)
Hole 6 is a par four with lakes on both sides of the fairway, a generous landing area, and an uphill approach to a bunker-protected green.
Hole 11 | Par 4 | 532 Yards | 2024 Stroke Average: 4.265 (Difficulty Rank – 1)
Hole 11 is a long par 4 with a wide fairway, downhill approach, and a bunker and pond protecting the green’s right front.
Hole 13 | Par 4 | 519 Yards | 2024 Stroke Average: 4.143 (Difficulty Rank – 2)
Hole 13 features an elevated tee shot with a lake on the left, a green atop a lava-surrounded knob, inspired by Pebble Beach’s 14th hole.
There are three Par 5’s on the course: No. 7, No. 9, and No. 18. All of these holes had a scoring average under par in 2024. No. 18 was the easiest Par 5 on the course last year with a scoring average of 0.646 below par.
Hole 9 | Par 5 | 587 Yards | 2024 Stroke Average: 4.771 (Difficulty Rank – 15)
Hole 9 is a par five playing uphill, with lava and bunkers protecting the fairway and green, offering views of Snow and Padre Canyons.
Hole 18 | Par 5 | 595 Yards | 2024 Stroke Average: 4.354 (Difficulty Rank – 18)
Hole 18 is a 570-yard dogleg left par five with lava and bunkers shaping the fairway, and a challenging green inspired by Augusta’s fifth.
Featured/ Signature Hole(s): 13, 18
Key Statistics:
As the Bank of Utah Championship returns to Black Desert Resort Golf Course, understanding how the course compares to PGA TOUR averages can help identify which players are best suited for success. Here’s how the Black Desert Resort Golf Course stacks up statistically:
| Statistics | PGA Tour Average | Black Desert Resort Golf Course |
| Driving Distance (Yards) | 284.02 | 298.83 |
| Driving Accuracy | 62% | 84% |
| GIR Percentage | 66% | 76% |
| Avg GIR Prox. to Hole (Feet) | 29.25 | 29.25 |
| Scrambling Percentage | 56% | 55% |
| Avg 3 Putts / Round | 0.54 | 0.68 |
According to DataGolf, players who perform well at Black Desert Resort tend to pair their accuracy off the tee with precise approach play and a hot putter.
Strokes Gained: Off the Tee
- Driving will play a pivotal role once again at Black Desert Resort. The course rewards players who can combine distance with accuracy, given the narrow fairways and the lava rock hazards that penalize errant shots. Last year’s winner, Matt McCarty, ranked 8th in SG: Off the Tee, using his driver to consistently set up ideal approach angles. With several reachable par 5s and demanding par 4s, players who excel off the tee gain a significant edge in both scoring and course management.
- Leaders in SG: Off the Tee (Last 24 Rounds):
- Cameron Champ
- Rico Hoey
- Kevin Yu
- Pierceson Coody
- Davis Thompson
- Steven Fisk
- Jesper Svensson
- Trevor Cone
- Kurt Kitayama
- Kevin Roy
- Leaders in SG: Off the Tee (Last 24 Rounds):
Strokes Gained: Approach
- Approach play remains the most predictive metric at Black Desert Resort. Players who excel with their irons can attack the accessible pin positions and create ample birdie opportunities. In last year’s edition, Matt McCarty ranked 24th in SG: Approach, proving that while elite iron play helps, balanced all-around performance can also win here. With greens averaging 7,000 square feet, precision on approach shots will once again be vital to setting up birdie chances.
- Leaders in SG: Approach (Last 24 Rounds):
- Ben Kohles
- Michael Thorbjornsen
- Rico Hoey
- Kurt Kitayama
- Thomas Rosenmueller
- Max Homa
- Antoine Rozner
- Victor Perez
- Doc Redman
- David Skinns
- Leaders in SG: Approach (Last 24 Rounds):
Strokes Gained: Putting (Bentgrass)
- Black Desert Resort features 007XL Bentgrass greens, which tend to reward confident putters who can handle subtle breaks and quick speeds. Putting has been a major separator here—last year’s champion, Matt McCarty, ranked 6th in SG: Putting. Players who can roll it well on bentgrass surfaces often gain a key edge in what projects to be another birdie-heavy week.
- Leaders in SG: Putting (Bentgrass) (Last 24 Rounds):
- Brandt Snedeker
- Takumi Kanaya
- Taylor Montgomery
- Cameron Champ
- Adam Schenk
- William Mouw
- Alex Noren
- Martin Laird
- Pierceson Coody
- Emiliano Grillo
- Leaders in SG: Putting (Bentgrass) (Last 24 Rounds):
Fairways Gained
- Accuracy off the tee matters at Black Desert, as missing fairways can result in finding the lava rock and struggling to recover. Players who consistently hit fairways will have far more control over approach distances and trajectories.
- Leaders in Fairways Gained (Last 24 Rounds):
- Paul Peterson
- Takumi Kanaya
- David Ford
- Andrew Putnam
- Brice Garnett
- Brandt Snedeker
- Joel Dahmen
- Zac Blair
- Ben Kohles
- Christiaan Bezuidenhout
- Leaders in Fairways Gained (Last 24 Rounds):
Par 4 Scoring
- With eleven par 4s on the scorecard, success on these holes will largely determine the leaderboard. These holes vary in distance, demanding a mix of length, precision, and smart course management.
- Leaders in Par 4 Scoring (Last 24 Rounds):
- Noah Goodwin
- Patrick Fishburn
- Taylor Montgomery
- Christiaan Bezuidenhout
- Matthew McCarty
- Pierceson Coody
- Sam Ryder
- Kevin Roy
- Victor Perez
- Mark Hubbard
- Leaders in Par 4 Scoring (Last 24 Rounds):
Par 5 Scoring: 550-600 Yards
- All three par 5s at Black Desert Resort fall in this range, offering prime scoring chances. These are holes where the best drivers and long-iron players can gain multiple strokes on the field. Making birdie—or better—on these par 5s will be critical for anyone hoping to contend.
- Leaders in Par 5 Scoring: 550-600 Yards (Last 24 Rounds):
- Thorbjorn Olesen
- Pierceson Coody
- William Mouw
- Christiaan Bezuidenhout
- Kevin Roy
- Hayden Springer
- Brandt Snedeker
- Victor Perez
- John Pak
- Trevor Cone
- Leaders in Par 5 Scoring: 550-600 Yards (Last 24 Rounds):
Opportunities Gained
- This stat tracks how often players create high-quality birdie looks inside 15 feet. At a course where the winning score reached 23-under last year, generating consistent birdie chances is essential. Those leading in Opportunities Gained tend to be in strong form with both their irons and wedges heading into the week.
- Leaders in Opportunities Gained (Last 24 Rounds):
- Davis Thompson
- Thorbjorn Olesen
- Adam Schenk
- Lee Hodges
- Kurt Kitayama
- Joseph Bramlett
- Michael Thorbjornsen
- Ricky Castillo
- Emiliano Grillo
- Mac Meissner
- Leaders in Opportunities Gained (Last 24 Rounds):
Birdies or Better Gained
- Scoring will once again come at a premium in Utah. With favorable scoring conditions and reachable par 5s, the winner will likely need to exceed 20-under par. Birdies or Better Gained identifies the players best equipped to capitalize on every scoring hole and keep pace in a low-scoring environment.
- Leaders in Birdies or Better Gained (Last 24 Rounds):
- Michael Thorbjornsen
- Kurt Kitayama
- Aldrich Potgieter
- Luke Clanton
- Mark Hubbard
- Kevin Yu
- Emiliano Grillo
- Hayden Springer
- Danny Walker
- Taylor Montgomery
- Leaders in Birdies or Better Gained (Last 24 Rounds):
Proximity: 175-200 Yards
- Many approach shots at Black Desert Resort fall within the 175–200-yard range, particularly on the longer par 4s and into the par 5s. Success often hinges on players who can consistently hit their long irons close and create makeable birdie putts from these distances.
- Leaders in Proximity: 175-200 Yards (Last 24 Rounds):
- Carson Young
- Martin Laird
- Karl Vilips
- Patrick Rodgers
- Lee Hodges
- William Mouw
- Davis Thompson
- Sam Ryder
- John Pak
- Joel Dahmen
- Leaders in Proximity: 175-200 Yards (Last 24 Rounds):
Comparable Courses and Event History
- Certain players thrive in desert or mountain-style layouts that reward aggressive ball striking and streaky putting. These “course horses” have already shown they can handle the conditions at Black Desert Resort or similar courses on the PGA TOUR schedule.
- Leaders in SG: Total – Black Desert Resort, TPC Scottsdale, TPC Summerlin (Last 36 Rounds):
- Adam Hadwin
- Jason Day
- Alex Noren
- Beau Hossler
- Sahith Theegala
- Davis Thompson
- Maverick McNealy
- Matthew NeSmith
- Doug Ghim
- Kurt Kitayama
- Andrew Putnam
- Joe Highsmith
- Leaders in SG: Total – Black Desert Resort, TPC Scottsdale, TPC Summerlin (Last 36 Rounds):
The Field:
The 2025 Bank of Utah Championship will showcase a full field of 132 players competing at Black Desert Resort Golf Course, drawing a mix of longtime TOUR stalwarts and rising talents. Only five of the top 50 players in the Official World Golf Ranking are in the field: Alex Noren (No. 17), Maverick McNealy (No. 19), Kurt Kitayama (No. 36), Billy Horschel (No. 38), and Jason Day (No. 42).
Basis of qualification for each entrant this week:
- Winners of the Arnold Palmer, Memorial, Genesis (Last 3 Years)
- Tournament Winner in Past Two Seasons
- Career Money Exemption
- Sponsor Exemptions: DPWT / Korn Ferry Tour / Q-School Category
- Sponsors Exemptions – Unrestricted
- PGA Section Champion\Player of the Year
- Open Qualifying
- Top 30 on the FedExCup Playoffs & Eligibility Points List
- Top 70 on Prior Year FEC Playoff & Elig List through the Playoffs
- Top 125 FedExCup Fall Point Lists
- Major Medical Extension
- PGA TOUR University Accelerated – Current Season
- Top 10 and Ties from the Previous Event
- DP World Tour / Korn Ferry Tour / Q-School Category – Reordered
- Minor Medical Extension
- Reorder Category – Cat. 37 thru 44
Previous Winners in the Field (Event):
- Matt McCarty (2024)
Players with Ties to Utah in the Field:
Birthplace:
- Zac Blair – Salt Lake City, Utah
- Patrick Fishburn – Ogden, Utah
- Kihei Akina – Alpine, Utah
- Carson Lundell – Alpine, Utah
- Preston Summerhays – Farmington, Utah
- Tommy Sharp – Salt Lake City, Utah
- David Liechty – Layton, Utah
- Connor Howe – Ogden, Utah
College:
- Zac Blair – Brigham Young University
- Patrick Fishburn – Brigham Young University
- Kihei Akina – Brigham Young University
- Carson Lundell – Brigham Young University
- Tommy Sharp – University of Utah (MBA)
- David Liechty – Utah Tech University
Monday Open Qualifiers:
- Yi Cao
- Gavin Cohen
- Sebastian Moss
- Owen Stamper
Debutants in the Field:
- Anders Albertson, Mason Andersen, Christiaan Bezuidenhout, Michael Brennan, Jonathan Byrd, Frankie Capan III, Ricky Castillo, Will Chandler, Luke Clanton, Trevor Cone, Vince Covello, Quade Cummins, Jason Day, Cristobal Del Solar, Taylor Dickson, Nick Dunlap, Harrison Endycott, Steven Fisk, David Ford, Dylan Frittelli, Ryan Gerard, Noah Goodwin, Emiliano Grillo, Adam Hadwin, James Hahn, Harry Higgs, Tom Hoge, Max Homa, Connor Howe, Takumi Kanaya, David Liechty, Carson Lundell, Matteo Manassero, Ben Martin, George McNeill, Maverick McNealy, Francesco Molinari, Taylor Moore, William Mouw, Alexander Noren, Thorbjorn Olesen, Kaito Onishi, John Pak, Ryan Palmer, Jeremy Paul, Victor Perez, Paul Peterson, Aldrich Potgieter, Andrew Putnam, Doc Redman, Matthew Riedel, Kevin Roy, Antoine Rozner, Thomas Rosenmueller, Adam Schenk, Brandt Snedeker, Isaiah Salinda, Gordon Sargent, Benjamin Silverman, Preston Summerhays, Jackson Suber, Jesper Svensson, Sahith Theegala, Braden Thornberry, Davis Thompson, Kevin Velo, Kristoffer Ventura, Karl Vilips, Danny Walker, Matt Wallace, Nick Watney, Tim Widing, Kevin Yu
Exemptions:
- Ryan Palmer: Career Money Exemption
- Brandt Snedeker: Career Money Exemption
- Michael Brennan: Sponsor Exemptions: DPWT / Korn Ferry Tour / Q-School Category
- Carson Lundell: Sponsor Exemptions: DPWT / Korn Ferry Tour / Q-School Category
- Kihei Akina: Sponsors Exemptions – Unrestricted
- Connor Howe: Sponsors Exemptions – Unrestricted
- David Liechty: Sponsors Exemptions – Unrestricted
- Preston Summerhays: Sponsors Exemptions – Unrestricted
- Trey Mullinax: Major Medical Extension
- Anders Albertson: Minor Medical Extension
Notable Withdraws/ Changes:
- Sami Valimaki WD -> James Hahn IN
- Erik van Rooyen WD -> Austin Cook IN
The Odds:
Here’s a comprehensive breakdown of the top players in the field for this year’s Bank of Utah Championship at Black Desert Resort, ranked by current betting odds (via DraftKings). The table below details each player’s five most recent finishes on the PGA TOUR and their last result at the Bank of Utah Championship.
| Golfer | Odds | Last 5 Finishes on the PGA TOUR/ DPWT* (Recent -> Past) | Last Years Finish at the Bank of Utah Championship (Recent -> Past) |
| Maverick McNealy | +1400 | T13-T23-3-T28-MC | – |
| Michael Thorbjornsen | +1600 | 3-T29-T13-T38-MC | WD |
| Kurt Kitayama | +1800 | T48-T19-T9-T31-WON | T25 |
| Alex Noren | +2000 | T27-WON*-MC*-WON*-T3 | – |
Facts & Figures:
Recent Horses for Courses (Black Desert Resort Golf Course):
| Black Desert Championship | |||
| Black Desert Resort Golf Course | |||
| Golfer | Events Played | SG: Total (Event) | 2024 |
| Matt McCarty | 1 | +15.11 | WON |
| Stephan Jaeger | 1 | +12.11 | 2 |
| Kevin Streelman | 1 | +11.11 | T3 |
| Joe Highsmith | 1 | +9.11 | T6 |
| Lee Hodges | 1 | +8.11 | T8 |
| Henrik Norlander | 1 | +8.11 | T8 |
| Nick Hardy | 1 | +8.11 | T8 |
| Greyson Sigg | 1 | +7.11 | T11 |
| Beau Hossler | 1 | +7.11 | T11 |
| Max McGreevy | 1 | +7.11 | T11 |
| Seamus Power | 1 | +7.11 | T11 |
| Patrick Rodgers | 1 | +7.11 | T11 |
| Carson Young | 1 | +7.11 | T11 |
Recent Donkeys for Courses (Black Desert Resort Golf Course):
| Black Desert Championship | ||
| Black Desert Resort Golf Course | ||
| Golfer | Events Played | 2024 |
| Mark Hubbard | 1 | MC |
| Taylor Montgomery | 1 | MC |
| Patrick Fishburn | 1 | MC |
| Robby Shelton | 1 | MC |
| Luke List | 1 | MC |
| Pierceson Coody | 1 | MC |
| Hayden Springer | 1 | MC |
| Chandler Phillips | 1 | MC |
| David Lipsky | 1 | MC |
| Martin Laird | 1 | MC |
| Troy Merritt | 1 | MC |
| Brice Garnett | 1 | MC |
| David Skinns | 1 | MC |
| Austin Cook | 1 | MC |
| Matthew NeSmith | 1 | MC |
| Hayden Buckley | 1 | MC |
| Justin Lower | 1 | MC |
| Camilo Villegas | 1 | MC |
| Rafael Campos | 1 | MC |
| Kihei Akina | 1 | MC |
Previous Winners Scores, Prices, and Strokes Gained (Rank at Tournament):
- 2024: Matt McCarty (-23)
- Price: 66-1
| SG: Off the Tee | SG: Tee to Green | SG: Approach | SG: Around the Green | SG: Putting |
| 8th | 7th | 24th | 6th | 6th |
Previous Winners Incoming Form (Last 5 Starts):
- 2024: Matt McCarty
- T63 – Sanderson Farms Championship (PGA)
- T5 – Nationwide Children’s Hospital Championship (KFT)
- T35 – Simmons Bank Open for the Snedeker Foundation (KFT)
- WON – Albertsons Boise Open (KFT)
- T9 – Magnit Championship (KFT)
Outright Picks:
Michael Thorbjornsen (+1600) – DraftKings
Mac Meissner (+5500) – BetMGM
Takumi Kanaya (+5500) – DraftKings
Taylor Montgomery (+6500) – DraftKings
Kevin Roy (+7000) – FanDuel
Top 20 (Incl. Ties) Picks:
Rico Hoey (+125) – BetMGM
William Mouw (+175) – DraftKings
Best of luck, and as always you can find me on Twitter @GatorBetting and Instagram @Gator_Sports_Betting. Any feedback whether positive or negative is always encouraged.
