Summary
IVINS, Utah — Austin Cook got off to a strong start this week by avoiding qualifying, seizing the opportunity with six birdies on Thursday to share the lead before darkness cut short a slow round at the Black Desert during the Bank of Utah Championship. Thorbjorn Olesen, Jesper Svensson, and David Lipsky also carded a 6-under-par 65 on the unique course, characterized by its red clay and black volcanic rock.
Cook was at 6 under and about to sink a 20-foot birdie putt on the par-4 14th when the light went out and play could not continue. The afternoon tee times had been delayed by 15 minutes, and the 38 players who had not finished were scheduled to resume at 8 a.m.
Cook didn't have many complaints. This is only his eighth tournament of the year, and he's a former PGA Tour winner. He was low on the alternates list and enjoying the beach with his family, planning to play in Monday's qualifying round. "I made it to first alternate on Saturday. I felt like I was going to get in, so I helped drive everyone home on Sunday and flew out on Monday, and on the plane I got a text message," he said. Cook replaced Erik van Rooyen, who had withdrawn.
Key details
Olesen was also surprised and pleased with his start. After playing in the Sanderson Farms Championship in Mississippi, the Dane returned to Europe to play in the Spanish Open, went back to his home in Dubai, and then arrived in Utah. «My expectations were pretty low this morning,» Olesen said. «But I did some recovery work over the last few days and just tried to get my body ready for today.» Olesen is ranked 116th in the FedEx Cup standings and has company in the bubble. Svensson is 115th and Lipsky is 99th.
After this week, there are only three tournaments left this season for players to finish in the top 100 in the FedEx Cup standings and retain their full cards for the 2026 season. The top 100 group has been reduced from 125 players who retained their cards last year.
The group one stroke behind, with 66, includes Paul Peterson, who started 2 over par through his first eight holes but finished with six birdies and an eagle. Black Desert offers plenty of birdie opportunities, but also presents numerous challenges.
Statements and context
Billy Horschel, who was sidelined for five months this year due to hip surgery, was at 1 under until he started his back nine with a bogey and then made a quadruple bogey 8 on the 11th. He tried to get out of the desert and ended up in the black lava. Horschel took a penalty drop, still playing in the red dirt as he tried to balance on some rocks. That shot went wide left of the green. He managed to pitch and then three-putt from just under 20 feet.
However, he recovered by reaching the 14th green from 20 feet and converting the putt for eagle, in addition to adding a 12-foot birdie on the par 3 15th. Finally, he salvaged a card of 72.
Max Homa was trying to close the gap on the leaders and reached 3 under par, but a shot into the water on the 13th hole cost him a double bogey. He recovered on the 14th (where he made birdie), but lost ground with a soft bogey on the 16th and couldn't save par from a bunker on the par-3 17th. He finished at even par and will have a 27-foot birdie attempt on the 18th to start his round on Friday.
What's next?
Alex Noren finished his round with a 4-under-par 67. A leg injury sidelined him until early May, and he is now trying to climb back into the top 100 at the FedEx Cup. Noren won the BMW PGA Championship in England, the European Tour's premier event, and was vice-captain of the European team that won the Ryder Cup.
