Michael Brennan Dominates at Black Desert to Win Bank of Utah Championship
IVINS, Utah (AP) – Michael Brennan was just as dominant at Black Desert as he was on the PGA Tour Americas. He closed with a 5-under 66 to go from a sponsor exemption to a PGA Tour winner Sunday, securing a four-shot victory in the Bank of Utah Championship.
In his first PGA Tour start as a professional, Brennan became the first sponsor exemption to win since Nick Dunlap took The American Express in January 2024 as an amateur. The victory means Brennan, a 23-year-old Wake Forest standout, skips the Korn Ferry Tour next year and advances straight to the PGA Tour.
Brennan earned a two-year exemption on the PGA Tour, along with spots in the PGA Championship and the $20 million RBC Heritage. He was ranked No. 451 in the world when he left the South America portion of the PGA Tour Americas but had been dominant in Canada, with one win in Minnesota, winning three times in a four-tournament stretch and posting eight top 10s in 10 starts.
Winning the Fortinet Cup season points race gave him a fully exempt Korn Ferry Tour card. Now, Brennan will compete alongside Scottie Scheffler and the rest of golf’s best on the big stage.
Though not a perfect finish—he hit his second shot into a deep pit with lava rocks, took a penalty for an unplayable lie, and closed with a bogey—Brennan finished at 22-under 262, four shots clear of Rico Hoey (67).
A combination of power and poise at Black Desert Resort, the scenic Tom Weiskopf-designed course framed by red-rock cliffs and black lava, Brennan started the final round with a three-shot lead, ran off three birdies in his first five holes to stretch his lead to five shots, and was never seriously challenged.
Australia Wins LPGA International Crown in South Korea
GOYANG, South Korea (AP) – Australia defeated the United States team to claim the LPGA’s International Crown. Minjee Lee and Hannah Green both clinched their singles matches on the 17th hole to secure the title.
The foursomes match between Australians Stephanie Kyriacou and Grace Kim and Americans Lilia Vu and Lauren Coughlin ended in a tie, but it was inconsequential after Green secured her 2-and-1 victory over Yealimi Noh at the New Korea Country Club. Lee also defeated Angel Yin, 2 and 1.
This marks the first International Crown win for Australia, a title that eluded them in 2023 when Thailand, led by current world No. 1 Jeeno Thitikul, beat them in the final at Harding Park.
The World team finished in third place after Charley Hull and Lydia Ko both earned impressive singles wins against Japan.
Jungwhan Lee Claims First European Tour Title at Genesis Championship
CHEONAN, South Korea (AP) – Jungwhan Lee rallied from a four-shot deficit with a 7-under 64 to take a two-shot victory at the Genesis Championship, earning his first European Tour title.
The 34-year-old South Korean birdied five straight holes on the front nine and took the lead with a birdie on the 14th, finishing the tournament at 11-under 273. He edged out Laurie Canter and Nacho Elvira by two shots.
The victory grants Lee a two-year exemption on the European Tour and entry into the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship in two weeks, the first of two DP World Tour playoff events.
Also notable was Jordan Gumberg, a former Arizona collegiate golfer, who holed out from 58 yards for eagle on the par-5 18th. This helped him tie for seventh and improve to No. 110 in the Race to Dubai, securing his card for next year.
Steven Alker Rises to Top of Charles Schwab Cup with Simmons Bank Championships Win
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) – Steven Alker took over the top ranking in the Charles Schwab Cup with a commanding wire-to-wire win at the Simmons Bank Championships, closing with a 3-under 69 for a seven-shot victory.
Alker, who began the tournament with an opening round 61, earned his second PGA Tour Champions win of the year at Pleasant Valley Country Club. He pulled away after an eagle-birdie-birdie stretch to start the back nine.
Miguel Angel Jimenez has four wins this year but has only made three top 10s in his last eight starts on the senior circuit. The top 36 players will advance to the Charles Schwab Cup Championship next month in Arizona, with Tommy Gainey holding the 36th spot and no other movement in the standings.
Pongsapak “Fifa” Laopakdee Wins Asia-Pacific Amateur, Advances to Masters and British Open
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) – Pongsapak “Fifa” Laopakdee rallied from a six-shot deficit with a 4-under 68 and defeated 16-year-old Taisei Nagasaki of Japan on the third playoff hole to win the Asia-Pacific Amateur.
The junior at Arizona State became the first player from Thailand to win the tournament, which began in 2010. Both players birdied the 18th and 17th in the playoff until Nagasaki missed the green left on the 18th and settled for par, handing Laopakdee the victory.
Nagasaki had started the final round with a five-shot lead but missed a crucial 4-foot birdie putt on the 18th in regulation and finished with a 74.
Laopakdee’s win secures him invitations to the Masters and the British Open next year.
Other Notable Wins Across Global Tours
- Yani Tseng closed with a 5-under 67 to win the rain-shortened Wistron Ladies Open in Taiwan by four shots, marking her first victory in 11 years and seventh on the Ladies European Tour.
- Miguel Tabuena shot a third consecutive 7-under 65 to claim a three-shot victory at the International Series Philippines on the Asian Tour.
- Matias Sanchez capped off a wire-to-wire win with a 1-under 71 for a two-shot victory at the Webex Players Series-South Australia on the PGA Tour of Australasia.
- Hennie du Plessis won the Blu Label Unlimited Challenge on the Sunshine Tour with 14 points in the modified Stableford scoring system, needing only eight points to clinch the win.
- Andrew Marshall captured his first Legends Tour title with a 6-under 66 for a two-shot victory at the Senior Italian Open.
- Shuri Sakuma closed with a 5-under 67 for an 11-shot victory over Miyuu Abe in the Nobuta Group Masters on the Japan LPGA.
- Shuying Li finished with a 4-under 68 to win by two shots at the Gwangnamilbo-Happiness Open on the Korea LPGA.
— AP Golf
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