2026 Bank of Utah Championship: Johnny Keefer, Ben James and other young stars go low in desert
Moving Day at Black Desert Resort saw four players 25 years or younger complete bogey-free rounds and move into the top 20 of the leaderboard.
The Bank of Utah Championship, led by veteran golfers Austin Smotherman and Doug Ghim, saw four young players make a significant impact on Saturday at Black Desert Resort. Johnny Keefer, Ben James, David Ford, and Kihei Akina, all 25 years old or younger, were among the top 20 leaders and birdied their way to the clubhouse with bogey-free cards.
Akina, the lone amateur, opened with 67-67 over the first two rounds. Keefer, the oldest of the group at 25, had an eagle at the par-7th to tie for sixth entering Sunday's final round. James and Ford looked set to be tied for third with Trace Crowe and Kevin Streelman at 18 under, with Keefer six shots back of Smotherman's lead.
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