The world of golf delivered a flurry of drama and standout performances across the collegiate and professional circuits on October 24, 2025, with action unfolding from the striking desert landscapes of Utah to the lush fairways of Georgia and North Carolina. As play was suspended for the day at the Bank of Utah Championship, collegiate teams in Georgia and women’s squads in North Carolina wrapped up their opening rounds, each seeking their own slice of glory.
Let’s start in the high desert of Ivins, Utah, where the Bank of Utah Championship at Black Desert Resort proved as visually stunning as it was challenging. With its black lava rock formations and the late Tom Weiskopf’s signature design, the course has quickly gained a reputation as a must-play, ranking No. 1 among Utah’s public-access courses and holding its own nationally. But as beautiful as the scenery was, the pace of play lagged, and for the second consecutive day, the sun set before all golfers could finish their rounds.
At the close of play on Friday, the PGA Tour officials suspended the second round due to darkness at 6:47 p.m. local time. That left 51 players—nearly a third of the field—needing to return early Saturday morning to complete their rounds. The 36-hole cut, projected at 1 under par, will be determined once all scores are in.
Despite the delays, several players managed to complete 36 holes, and the leaderboard was as tight as ever. Michael Brennan emerged as the solo leader at 10 under par after carding impressive rounds of 67 and 65. Brennan, who has already notched three wins on the PGA Tour Americas this season and is making only his second start in a PGA Tour event, made five birdies and an eagle at the par-5 9th on Friday, offset by just a single bogey. His consistent play has put him in prime position heading into the weekend.
Hot on Brennan’s heels, a three-way tie for second place featured Jackson Suber, Justin Lower, and Pierceson Coody, each at 9 under par. Lower’s round was highlighted by an eagle on No. 7 and four additional birdies, propelling him to 10 under for the tournament and a share of the lead as of late Friday before play was halted. Coody, meanwhile, turned in the best round of the day with a sparkling 7-under 64, featuring seven birdies and a clean card—no bogeys in sight.
Matt McCarty, last year’s champion at Black Desert, reminded everyone why he’s a force on this course. The Scottsdale native fired a 6-under 65, fueled by a blistering 28 on the back nine that included seven birdies. McCarty sits at 8 under, well inside the cut and just two shots off the lead. It’s a familiar script for McCarty, who seems to thrive amid the unique challenges of Black Desert’s layout.
Jackson Suber, making his 27th PGA Tour start, finished his Friday round with a 4-under 67 to follow up a bogey-free 66 on Thursday. Suber credited his friend and caddie, Greyson Porter, for keeping him focused: “He played golf at Florida State and is from Tampa as well, so he’s just been a good mind to have on the bag and kind of helping me stay in the present and figure out what to do.” Suber has three top-10 finishes in his career but is still seeking that elusive first victory.
As the sun dipped below the horizon, the cut line hovered at 1 under par, with several notable players—including Kevin Roy—right on the bubble. The total purse for the championship stands at $6 million, with the winner set to take home $1.08 million. The action resumes Saturday morning, and with so many contenders bunched at the top, the weekend promises to be a nail-biter.
Meanwhile, on the collegiate scene in Alpharetta, Georgia, the first round of the Golf Club of Georgia Collegiate Invitational saw the nation’s top teams and individuals battle for supremacy. Georgia Tech’s Aidan Tran and Hiroshi Tai led the No. 18 Yellow Jackets to a tie for sixth place, each posting subpar rounds—Tran with a 4-under 68 and Tai with a 2-under 70. Tran’s six birdies and two bogeys put him in a tie for sixth individually, while Tai’s five birdies kept him in the top 15.
The team leaderboard is dominated by No. 1 ranked Virginia, who posted a sizzling 16-under-par 272, five shots clear of Duke in second. Virginia’s depth was on full display, with four Cavaliers shooting under par and three eagles for the day. Pepperdine, Charlotte, and USC round out the top five, while Georgia Tech shares sixth place with UCLA, Florida State, and Washington at 3-under 285.
The Invitational, now in its 19th year, features a loaded 14-team field, including five squads that competed in the 2025 NCAA Championship and six ranked in the top 25. The tournament is played on the 6,993-yard, par 72 Lakeside Course, with 18 holes each day through Sunday. Georgia Tech has a proud history in the event, with two team titles and three individual medalists since its inception. The Yellow Jackets have finished in the top five 13 times in 18 years, and head coach Bruce Heppler’s squad is looking to add another chapter to that legacy.
On the individual front, Duke’s Bryan Kim set the pace with a 7-under 65, thanks to an eagle and seven birdies, staking a one-shot lead over Pepperdine’s Mahanth Chirravuri and USC’s Jose Antonio Safa. The competition remains fierce, with several top-ranked players within striking distance as round two looms.
Women’s collegiate golf was no less compelling, as the Alabama Crimson Tide wrapped up day one of the Landfall Tradition in Wilmington, North Carolina. The team finished the opening round tied for 10th at 7-over-par 295. Mattison Frick and Harriet Lockley led the way, both carding 1-over 73 to sit tied for 30th individually. Frick’s round included 13 pars, while Lockley matched that tally to set the team high for the day. Natachanok Tunwannarux contributed five birdies and finished at 2-over 74, tied for 39th. Amanda Gyllner excelled on the par 5s, playing them in 4-under, and ended the day at 3-over 75.
SMU jumped out to an early team lead at 1-under 283, while four players are tied atop the individual leaderboard at 3-under 69. The Landfall Tradition continues through the weekend, with Alabama looking to climb the standings and build momentum for the rest of the season.
With play suspended in Utah and collegiate tournaments heating up across the country, golf fans have plenty to look forward to as the weekend unfolds. The stage is set for more drama, with titles and glory still very much up for grabs.
