Matt McCarty and Max Homa Shine at Bank of Utah Championship

IVINS, Utah – Defending champion Matt McCarty showcased his talent Friday at the Bank of Utah Championship, scoring a bogey-free 7-under 28 during his second round at Black Desert Resort.

The 27-year-old golfer, who started on No. 10, began his round with two consecutive birdies. After a par, he made four straight birdies, eventually finishing the front nine at 9-under for the tournament. McCarty briefly held a three-shot lead before completing the round with a 1-over 37, finishing with a second-round score of 65, placing him tied for second.

“It feels really easy honestly,” McCarty said about his recent performance. “Golf doesn’t feel that easy all the time. Just flowing and not really thinking about much. The ball just seemed to find the bottom of the hole a little bit easier.”

McCarty, ranked No. 58 in the Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR), has 16 cuts made in 25 tournaments this season, with two top-10 finishes, including a T4 at the RBC Canadian Open. He started his title defense with a score of 69 on Thursday.

Meanwhile, Max Homa, playing through ankle pain at the same championship, managed a bogey-free 5-under 66 on Friday to stay competitive.

Homa, suffering from a bone spur in his right ankle, noted that the pain helped him focus more on his game. “I just get in my own way so much; it honestly helps to get hurt at times because I don’t remember thinking about my golf swing,” he explained.

Currently ranked 100th in the FedExCup Fall, Homa has struggled to regain form since his two victories during the 2022-23 season. He acknowledged considering withdrawal due to discomfort but decided against it, driven by love for the game and support from his wife, Lacey.

“I kept thinking about my wife – she had a horrendous birth with our first son and had major surgery, and there’s just no way I could complain about a hurt ankle while I walked,” he shared.

As Homa and McCarty head into the final rounds of the Bank of Utah Championship, both golfers are determined to secure strong finishes.