Michael Brennan Leads Bank of Utah Championship into Final Round

IVINS, Utah – Michael Brennan, a 23-year-old golfer in just his third PGA TOUR start, holds a two-stroke lead over defending champion Matt McCarty heading into the final round of the Bank of Utah Championship. Brennan shot a remarkable 7-under 64 to finish the third round at 23 under par.

Brennan’s intense approach to the game has set him apart. After the third round, he reflected, “I think I’m pretty intense. I try to be a little less intense. My dad gives me a hard time for it sometimes.” His dedication extends beyond golf; he mentioned his recent passion for tennis and his eagerness to excel at it as well.

With his recent success, Brennan has already secured a spot on the Korn Ferry Tour for 2026 but aims to skip directly to the PGA TOUR if he wins on Sunday. “It’s been my goal growing up to play on the PGA TOUR,” he said, recalling that his childhood dream was to play professional golf.

Matt McCarty, who won last year’s inaugural event, trails Brennan at 15 under. McCarty demonstrated strong skills over the weekend, shooting a sub-30 score on the back nine in both of his last two rounds, including a 7-under 64 on Saturday. “I think kind of fed off that energy I had on that nine yesterday,” McCarty noted, hoping to carry that momentum into the final round.

Younger players like Rico Hoey and Hayden Springer are making waves as well. Hoey stands at T3, while Springer posted a 9-under 62 on Saturday, marking the lowest round of the tournament so far. Springer emphasized the importance of every shot, saying, “Whether I win or don’t win tomorrow, every shot, every point matters at the end of the year.”

As the tournament wraps up, Brennan hopes to clinch a victory and solidify his status among the game’s elite. “I have a great opportunity tomorrow, so try to take advantage of it,” Brennan remarked.