The Bank of Utah Championship returns to Black Desert Resort in Ivins, Utah, from October 1 through October 4, 2026, serving as the second of eight FedExCup Fall events on the PGA Tour schedule. Framed by Southern Utah’s black lava fields and red rock scenery, the tournament offers a $6 million purse and 500 FedExCup points, drawing players competing for crucial positioning ahead of the following season.
Tournament Dates and Course Setup at Black Desert Resort
Scheduled as a four-round, 72-hole stroke-play event, the tournament follows a traditional PGA Tour rhythm with the opening rounds on Thursday and Friday, followed by a cut before weekend play. Designed by Tom Weiskopf in 2023, the Black Desert Resort course measures 7,421 yards and plays to a par of 71. The layout features an unusual par distribution consisting of eleven par 4s, four par 3s, and three par 5s, creating a unique challenge dominated by approach-shot control. The course utilizes creeping bentgrass for fairways, greens, and tees, contrasted by Kentucky bluegrass in the rough areas.
Defending Champions and Tournament History
As a young stop on the PGA Tour calendar, the event has produced two first-time winners since its inception. Matt McCarty captured the inaugural title in 2024, and Michael Brennan secured a breakthrough victory in 2025 by finishing at 22-under par, four shots ahead of runner-up Rico Hoey. Brennan returns to defend his title in October 2026 against a field of competitors managing the strategic demands of desert golf, where altitude, wind, and firm playing surfaces heighten the stakes of every shot.
Fall Season Context and Schedule Positioning
Positioned on the schedule immediately following the Presidents Cup and preceding the Baycurrent Classic in Japan, the tournament carries distinct implications for the FedExCup Fall standings. Competitors arrive at Black Desert Resort with varying objectives, with some protecting their tour status and others striving to improve their position for the upcoming season. Spectator gates open at 8 a.m. on tournament days, with the first groups teeing off at 7:50 a.m. as the four-day event unfolds in Greater Zion.
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