Smotherman Claims Tournament Lead
Austin Smotherman Shoots Career-Best 62 to Take Utah Championship Lead
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Key Points
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Austin Smotherman made 10 birdies, with all but two coming from inside 10 feet, and finished with three consecutive birdies. The round matched his career-low 62; he was playing his 100th PGA Tour event and is still seeking his first win.
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Kevin Roy's two opening rounds of 63 set a personal best for his 36-hole score by five strokes. He was bogey-free through 36 holes and seeking his first victory in 83 career starts.
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Doug Ghim also shot a bogey-free 62, putting him two strokes behind Smotherman alongside Kevin Streelman.
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Jackson Koivun secured a weekend start on the cut line after needing a birdie on the par-5 18th. Despite finding a bunker off the tee, he reached the green area with his next shot and got up and down from six feet.
Austin Smotherman surged to the top of the Bank of Utah Championship leaderboard with a career-tying 9-under 62 in the second round at Black Desert Resort. His 17-under total gave him a one-shot lead heading into the weekend, marking his 100th PGA Tour start as he chases his first career victory WTOP.
Kevin Roy sits just one shot back at 16 under after posting back-to-back 63s — his best 36-hole score ever by five strokes. Doug Ghim and Kevin Streelman are two shots behind Smotherman, with Ghim also firing a bogey-free 62 on Friday Winnipeg Free Press.
Smotherman's Scorching Round Ties Personal Best
Smotherman made 10 birdies Friday, with eight coming from inside 10 feet. He finished his round with three straight birdies to cap the 62. The performance matched his career-low score and pushed him into first place WTOP.
Roy Chases Without Dropped Shots Through 36 Holes
Roy's consecutive 63s delivered a personal-best 36-hole total of 126 — five strokes better than his previous mark. Playing bogey-free golf, he arrives at the weekend in contention for his first PGA Tour win in 83 career starts Winnipeg Free Press.
Local Golfers Among Utah Championship Field
Utah natives Kihei Akina and Patrick Fishburn share the top local spot at 8 under, tied for 35th place. Akina also leads as the field's top amateur. Fellow Utahn Zac Blair made the cut at 6 under, while Tony Finau — another state native — missed the cut Newsday.
Koivun Secures Weekend Spot With Dramatic Finish
Jackson Koivun earned his way into the weekend right on the cut line after a clutch birdie on the par-5 18th. He hit into a bunker off the tee but recovered with his next shot to reach the green. Koivun then got up and down from six feet to secure his spot HNG News.
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