Austin Smotherman Claims Breakthrough PGA Tour Victory at Black Desert Resort
Just hit it good enough today, hit some close early that took some pressure off in the middle of the round,
Austin Smotherman said after securing his first career title on the PGA Tour. Smotherman responded to a double bogey at the par-4 13th hole with two birdies over his next three holes to secure his victory in his 100th career start on the circuit. The 32-year-old Dallas resident finished the tournament at a course-record 26 under par at Black Desert Resort in southern Utah, despite a final-round bogey on the par-3 17th hole.
Smotherman held the lead following the second and third rounds. He opened Sunday’s final round with three birdies in his first five holes, extending his advantage over Doug Ghim and the rest of the Bank of Utah Championship field to as many as four shots. Back-nine trouble prevented a runaway finish, however, as Trace Crowe pulled within a single shot of the lead after holing an eagle putt on the par-4 14th.
Doug Ghim Finishes Runner-Up After Final-Hole Birdie Attempt
Doug Ghim needed an eagle on the final hole to force a playoff or increase pressure on the leader, but his approach came up just right. He walked away with a birdie to post a 24-under tournament total, securing a career-best solo second-place finish. Today was Austin’s day,
Ghim said, adding that he did everything he could and hopes to learn from the mistakes. Ghim’s performance bumped his FedEx Cup standing from 89th to 58th.
Trace Crowe tied for third place alongside David Ford at 23 under par. Meanwhile, PGA Tour rookie Ben James recorded his fourth T-5 finish in his last six starts, sharing fifth place at 22 under par with veteran Kevin Streelman. Luke Clanton posted the lowest score of the final round with a 9-under 62, climbing into a tie for seventh place at 21 under par with Steven Fisk.
Amateur Kihei Akina Earns Top-Ten Finish and Tour Spot
BYU sophomore Kihei Akina rebounded from missing the cut at the Bank of Utah Championship last year by finishing in solo ninth place at 20 under par. Akina’s finish marks the first top-10 result by an amateur on Tour since Jackson Koivun finished tied for fourth at the 2025 Procore Championship. The result earns Akina a spot at the Butterfield Bermuda Championship, scheduled for October 22–25 at Port Royal Golf Course. We’ll see if I can get excused from class,
Akina joked.
Prizes, Exemptions, and the Road to the Winner’s Circle
Smotherman’s victory earns him a $1,080,000 payout from the $6 million purse, along with 500 FedEx Cup points and a two-year PGA Tour exemption. The win also secures automatic invitations to the Players Championship and the PGA Championship. Smotherman previously had to withdraw from the Bank of Utah Championship two years ago, a setback that led to him playing on the Korn Ferry Tour in 2025 before regaining his PGA Tour card.
Smotherman joins a class of first-time winners on Tour for the season that includes Jacob Bridgeman, Ricky Castillo, Alex Fitzpatrick, Kristoffer Reitan, Bud Cauley, Stefano Mazzoli, Jackson Koivun, and Michael Thorbjornsen. 100 starts out here is an incredible number, just to be blessed to have 100 starts, but even more so, to play professional golf now for 10 years, travel the world, have the support I’ve had, it’s pretty unreal to lift a trophy at the highest level,
Smotherman said.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Bank of Utah Championship
How many starts did it take Austin Smotherman to win on the PGA Tour?
Austin Smotherman secured his first PGA Tour victory in his 100th career start on the circuit, capping off a decade of playing professional golf.
What was Austin Smotherman’s winning score at Black Desert Resort?
Smotherman finished the tournament at a course-record 26 under par, holding off runner-up Doug Ghim, who finished two strokes back at 24 under par.
What exemptions does Smotherman receive for winning the tournament?
Alongside a $1,080,000 prize and 500 FedEx Cup points, Smotherman earns a two-year PGA Tour exemption and automatic invitations to both the Players Championship and the PGA Championship.
Which amateur player secured a top-ten finish at the event?
BYU sophomore Kihei Akina finished in solo ninth place at 20 under par, earning a spot at the upcoming Butterfield Bermuda Championship.
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