Michael Brennan is making the most of his sponsor exemption at the Bank of Utah Championship. After dominating the PGA Tour Americas this summer, he’s now two shots clear heading into Sunday’s final round at Black Desert.
Brennan fired a 7-under 64 on Saturday against the stunning backdrop of Utah’s red-rock cliffs, building a two-stroke advantage over defending champion Matt McCarty.
“I have a great opportunity tomorrow, so try to take advantage of it, stay focused,” Brennan said.
This is just Brennan’s third PGA Tour start and first as a professional. He’s attempting to become the first player to win on a sponsor exemption since Nick Dunlap captured the American Express last year.
“I was a little nervous, definitely,” Brennan admitted. “I don’t think it was anything crazy. Nothing that I hadn’t experienced playing professional golf on the Americas tour. I felt like those experiences were pretty similar, which I’m very happy about. I’ve had some experience, and I hope to draw on that tomorrow. But when you’re out on the golf course it’s just you and the golf course.”
Brennan overcame an early double bogey on the second hole by playing an eight-hole stretch in 7 under. The run included a spectacular 206-yard approach to 3½ feet for eagle on the par-5 seventh. He later chipped to within a foot on 12 and to 2½ feet on 14. After scrambling for par on 17, he birdied the par-5 18th to reach 17-under 196.
“I’m obviously very happy with how I finished this round,” Brennan said. “I played very solid coming in.”
The 23-year-old former Wake Forest star has been on a tear lately. He won three times in a four-tournament stretch on the PGA Tour Americas in August and September, topping the season points list to secure the first of 10 available Korn Ferry Tour spots.
His victories came in Windsor, Ontario; Brainerd, Minnesota; and Sherwood Park, Alberta. At Wake Forest, he collected eight titles, including ACC Championships in both 2023 and 2024.
McCarty matched Brennan’s 64, closing with a remarkable birdie-birdie-birdie-bogey-birdie-birdie-birdie finish. He entered the week 84th in the FedExCup standings.
“Just hit a lot of good shots,” McCarty said. “Got a few putts to drop. Hit a good putt on 15, too. Just kind of bumped a little bit.”
The tournament takes on added significance as only three events remain for players to finish inside the top 100 in the FedExCup and keep full cards for the 2026 season. That threshold has been reduced from the 125 players who kept their cards last year.
Rico Hoey and Kevin Yu both shot 63s to reach 14 under, tied for third with Pierceson Coody (66). Hayden Springer carded the day’s best round, a 62, to reach 13 under alongside Thorbjorn Olesen (65).
In the FedExCup standings, Yu sits 61st, Hoey 91st, Olesen 116th, Springer 131st and Coody 133rd – making this week crucial for their playing privileges next season.
“I’m pretty far back in terms of keeping my card, so it means a lot,” Springer said. “It’s important to me. There is a big difference between being in a conditional status to full status.”
