Michael Brennan, in his first PGA Tour start as a professional, held a one-shot lead at the Bank of Utah Championship when play was suspended due to darkness Friday evening in Ivins, Utah.
Brennan shot a 6-under-par 65 in the second round, boosting him to 10-under 132, one ahead of Jackson Suber (67 on Friday), Justin Lower (67) and Pierceson Coody (64).
The first round on Thursday did not finish before darkness fell at Black Desert Resort, either, leading play to be backed up on Friday. More than 50 golfers will conclude their second rounds Saturday morning starting at 8 a.m. local time. The projected cut line currently stands at 1 under.
Brennan, 23, played this season on the PGA Tour Americas, which feeds into the Korn Ferry Tour. Brennan finished No. 1 in the third-tier tour’s Fortinet Cup standings and will be fully exempt on the Korn Ferry Tour in 2026.
However, he is playing the PGA Tour this week on a sponsor’s exemption, and he is making the most of it. His Friday round included five birdies, an eagle at the par-5 ninth hole and just one bogey.
“I’ve been driving the ball really nicely, putting the ball in the fairway a lot, giving myself some good wedge and short iron opportunities,” Brennan said. “I’ve also made some nice mid-range putts the first two rounds, which always great to see those go in.
“But just kind of looking to stay a lot of the same this weekend. Hopefully driver stays hot because if you’re not in the fairway, it’s trouble out here. So, yeah, putting the ball in play is important.”
Coody carded a bogey-free 64 that was the low round of the tournament thus far. The 25-year-old is a three-time Korn Ferry winner but is seeking his breakthrough win on the PGA Tour. He also hopes to secure his spot on the top tour for next year.
“I still feel like there is the big goal of I can get in the top 100,” Coody said. “I don’t know what the points are, but I know I have at least three or four events to do that and some really nice weeks I could accomplish that goal. To retain my status for the first time on the PGA Tour would be really nice.”
Defending champion Matt McCarty (65) and Japan’s Takumi Kanaya (68) are tied at 8 under par along with David Ford, who had six holes to play in his second round.
McCarty shot a 7-under 28 on the front nine Friday, with seven birdies and two pars.
“Made a few putts early and just had it going,” he said. “Always fun to go, you know, sub-30. (A) 28 on the front was great. Yeah, fun day.”
Sahith Theegala (67) is tied for eighth at 7 under par as he continues to come back from a neck injury that robbed much of his summer. Max Homa shot a 66 on Friday to get to 6 under par and ensure he will reach the weekend.
–Field Level Media
