BANK OF UTAH CHAMPIONSHIP 2025: BIRDIE FESTIVAL IN THE DESERT OASIS OF BLACK DESERT RESORT

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Thursday, October 23 – Sunday, October 26, 2025 | Black Desert Resort, Ivins, Utah

Second Edition of Tournament Promises Record-Low Scores in Unique Red Rock Setting

The PGA Tour continues its FedEx Cup Fall series with a stop in picturesque Ivins, Utah, where the second edition of the tournament takes place under the new name Bank of Utah Championship. The black desert oasis with red rocks in the background promises a birdie shower and exciting battles among players fighting for crucial FedEx Cup points.

UNIQUE VENUE: WHERE LAVA MEETS GOLF

Black Desert Resort represents one of the most visually stunning courses on the PGA Tour. Located at an elevation of approximately 915 meters (3,000 feet), which has a fascinating effect on play - the ball flies farther through the air due to thinner atmosphere, which effectively shortens the course by approximately 3.5%.

The course designed by legendary designer Tom Weiskopf sprawls directly in a lava field, creating a dramatic contrast between meticulously maintained green fairways and the rough black lava terrain surrounding the holes.

Course Technical Parameters

• Total length: 7,421 yards (extended by 50 yards compared to last year)
• Par: 71
• Fairways: 51 acres of green strips surrounded by lava fields
• Birdie opportunities: 15 holes with a birdie rate higher than 15%
• Expected winning score: -21.5 according to bookmakers

The 50-yard course extension compared to the inaugural edition suggests organizers want to slightly increase difficulty after last year's birdie festival.

TOURNAMENT HISTORY: FROM RETURN AFTER 62 YEARS TO NEW NAME

The Bank of Utah Championship has a fascinating short but significant history. The tournament represented the first PGA Tour return to Utah since 1963 - a gap of more than six decades.

The inaugural edition in 2024 was won by Matt McCarty with an impressive score of -23 under par. This set the bar high and showed what birdie potential this course offers.

An even more remarkable performance came in May 2025 when Black Desert Resort hosted an LPGA tournament where South Korea's Haeran Ryu dominated with an incredible score of -26. This suggests the course truly rewards aggressive, accurate play.

Changes in 2025

A three-year sponsorship deal with Bank of Utah led to renaming from Black Desert Championship to Bank of Utah Championship. However, the tournament faces a 20% purse reduction to $6 million (from last year's $7.5 million) with $1.08 million for the winner.

This reduction reflects broader economic pressures in the golf world, but the tournament maintains its prestige as a key stop in the fall series.

IDEAL CONDITIONS FOR RECORD SCORES

The weather forecast for this week looks nearly perfect for low scores:

Weather Conditions

• Morning temperatures: Around 10°C (50°F)
• Daily highs: Approximately 21°C (70°F)
• Precipitation: None in forecast
• Wind: Minimal
• Conditions: Cool desert mornings ideal for concentration, warm pleasant afternoons

This combination of factors - elevation, thinner air, minimal wind, wide fairways, and perfect temperatures - creates an environment where players can fully focus on aggressive play.

Statistics from last year's edition confirm this: the top 10 players averaged 24.7 birdies, an extraordinarily high number even by modern PGA Tour standards.

TACTICS AND STRATEGY: HOW TO WIN AT BLACK DESERT

The key to success on this course isn't just length but primarily accuracy and aggressiveness. Players must find the right balance:

What Works

Keeping the ball on the fairway is critical - beyond the meticulously maintained strips lies unpleasant lava terrain where recovery shots are extremely difficult.

Aggressive play on the greens - with so many birdie opportunities, players can't be conservative. Those playing it safe will likely finish too far behind the winners.

Leveraging the thinner air advantage - players who can precisely calibrate how far their balls will fly at this elevation will have an advantage.

Winning Formula

Last year's winner McCarty and May's LPGA champion Ryu showed that the winning score will likely be 23-26 strokes under par. This means averaging 5-6 birdies per round for all four days, which requires not only skill but also mental resilience to maintain consistency.

FAVORITES AND WHO TO WATCH

Sportsbooks and experts highlight several names:

Michael Thorbjornsen

The American player is labeled as a rising star whose first Tour victory seems very close. Thorbjornsen combines length with accuracy - an ideal mix for this course.

His form in recent weeks suggests he could be ready for a breakthrough. If he can keep his nerves in check when leading on Sunday, this could be his week.

"Ryder Cup Snub"

An interesting narrative is that some sportsbooks favor a player who was controversially left off the American Ryder Cup team. This motivation - to prove the team captain made a mistake - could add extra fuel to his performance.

Other Candidates

Given the course character, look for long, accurate players who excel in birdie conversion. Players with a history of low scores on "birdie fest" courses will have an advantage.

SIGNIFICANCE FOR FEDEX CUP FALL: BATTLES FOR THE FUTURE

For many players in the field, this tournament is much more than just another week. It's one of four remaining FedEx Cup Fall series tournaments, and for players fighting to maintain their card for next season, every point earned is critical.

What's at Stake

Players on the edge of the top 125 in the FedEx Cup standings know their professional future depends on results in these final weeks. A win here would not only secure a card but also open doors to more prestigious tournaments next year.

For some veterans, this could be the last realistic chance to prove they still have something to offer at the highest level. For young players, it's an opportunity to announce their arrival and establish themselves as future Tour stars.

PREDICTION: WHAT TO EXPECT

With the combination of all factors - ideal weather, birdie-friendly course, motivated players, and prestigious points at stake - we can expect:

Winning score between -22 to -25, likely similar to or even lower than last year. If someone "catches fire," especially on key days Thursday and Saturday, we could see even -27 or -28.

Dramatic Sunday finish where several players will be within striking distance of victory, creating tension for viewers watching the ESPN broadcast.

Breakthrough victory - this course seems favorably inclined toward players seeking their first win thanks to wide fairways and numerous birdie opportunities that reduce pressure.

Black Desert Resort with its dramatic backdrop of red rocks contrasting with black lava and green fairways will provide not only great golf but also a visual feast for television viewers.

The Bank of Utah Championship 2025 promises to be one of the most entertaining stops of the fall series - the combination of spectacular setting, low scores, and significant stakes for many players creates the perfect recipe for an unforgettable golf week.

Photo: GOLF.com

More information:24live.com