At least nine golfers with Utah ties highlight PGA Tour’s Black Desert Championship this week in St. George area

The inaugural Black Desert Championship is set to make a splash in southern Utah as it returns the PGA Tour to the state for the first time in over 60 years. Hosted at the new Black Desert Resort in Ivins, Washington County, the event will feature at least nine golfers with Utah ties, bringing excitement to local fans.

Among them are seasoned professionals like Jay Don Blake, who will be competing in his 500th PGA Tour event, and former Masters champion Mike Weir. Organizers, including Black Desert Resort’s managing partner Patrick Manning, have expressed enthusiasm for showcasing some of the world’s top golfers on the Tom Weiskopf-designed course.

This week’s tournament, part of the FedEx Fall Series, promises a thrilling competition with a total purse of $7.5 million, with $1.35 million for the champion. In addition to Blake and Weir, the field includes rising stars and veterans such as Kevin Yu, Harris English, and Lucas Glover.

Local golf enthusiasts can also cheer for younger talents like Kihei Akina, a high school phenom who has committed to play for BYU. As temperatures are expected to be in the low 90s, spectators are encouraged to bring sunscreen and water for what is sure to be a memorable event in Utah’s golfing history.