Black Desert Championship Set to Challenge PGA Tour Players in Unique Utah Terrain

The inaugural Black Desert Championship is set to begin at the Black Desert Resort Golf Club in Ivins, Utah, on Thursday. This new addition to the FedExCup Fall is unique in its setting and design, promising a distinctive test for the field of 132 players.

Located northwest of St. George, Utah, the Black Desert Resort Golf Club is a par 71 course that has been designed by the late Tom Weiskopf in collaboration with Phil Smith. The course features lush Bentgrass from tee to green, with striking black lava fields contributing to both the challenge and the aesthetic appeal. The course’s topography is reminiscent of the dramatic landscapes that define the region, such as the nearby Zion National Park and the Grand Canyon.

The course is relatively new, with its first nine holes opening less than two years ago. Despite its youth, it has been designed with modern eco-friendly principles and draws comparisons to Hawaii’s Hualalai Golf Course – albeit without the ocean views. Players will need to adjust their play, as the course sits approximately 3,000 feet above sea level, which will affect the distance of their shots.

Among the players to watch is Michael Thorbjornsen, a promising young golfer who has earned his Tour card through the PGA Tour University Rankings. Thorbjornsen, who turned professional earlier this year and placed second at the John Deere Classic, is expected to perform well on this course, which could favor aggressive play.

Other notable participants include Patrick Fishburn, who hails from Utah and has been demonstrating strong form with several top-20 finishes since May. Chan Kim, an accomplished player with victories on the Japan Tour and Korn Ferry Tour, also enters the tournament in good standing. Patton Kizzire, with a recent win at the Procore Championship and who has previous success in Utah, will be another contender.

As the tournament unfolds, conditions such as wind speed and green speeds, which could reach 12 feet on the Stimpmeter, will play critical roles in scoring. The weather forecast predicts warm, dry conditions, with temperatures reaching 90 degrees.

The Black Desert Championship will mark the PGA TOUR’s first event in Utah since the 1963 Utah Open Invitational, which took place in Salt Lake City. This adds an interesting layer of anticipation to the tournament, as players vie for exempt status in the 2025 season.