Austin Smotherman WITB: Bank of Utah winner carries 7-year-old hybrid
Austin Smotherman won the 2026 Bank of Utah Championship for his first PGA Tour win.
Austin Smotherman triumphed at the Bank of Utah Championship, clinching his inaugural PGA Tour title Sunday. Embracing his newfound success, Smotherman notably retained a nearly seven-year-old TaylorMade SIM Max 3-hybrid, marking him as the fourth player this season to secure a PGA Tour victory with a hybrid. The SIM Max, a standout among TaylorMade hybrids, gained prominence as the first hybrid Rory McIlroy ever utilized on the PGA Tour.
McIlroy, who once favored traditional irons, embraced the SIM Max during his time on the Tour in 2020 and 2021, praising its exceptional performance. Similarly, Dustin Johnson also played the SIM Max during the 2020 season. The SIM Max's legacy endures, as Smotherman now owns one of the rarest and legendary versions still in circulation.
In addition to his endorsement deals with L.A.B. Golf for his putter and Titleist for his Pro V1x, Smotherman operates as a gear-free agent, allowed to choose any golf clubs he desires.
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