Austin Smotherman takes a one-shot lead over Doug Ghim into Sunday at the Bank of Utah Championship as both chase their first career PGA Tour victory.
Austin Smotherman will take a one-shot lead into the final round of the Bank of Utah Championship, but there’s almost no breathing room between him and Doug Ghim.
Smotherman shot a 6-under 65 Saturday at Black Desert Resort to reach 23-under 190 through 54 holes.
Ghim stayed directly on his heels with a 7-under 64, moving to 22-under and setting up a Sunday showdown between two players still looking for their first PGA Tour victory.
Every time the lead came under pressure Saturday, Smotherman seemed to have an answer.
After a three-putt bogey at No. 10 allowed Kevin Streelman to pull even, Smotherman responded by making birdie on three of his next four holes. Later, Ghim birdied Nos. 17 and 18 to twice draw even with the leader.
Smotherman answered both times, including a 12-foot birdie putt on the closing hole that gave him the outright lead.
“That’s what we work for,” Smotherman said of playing under Sunday pressure.
Smotherman’s 23-under total already matches the tournament’s 72-hole scoring record at Black Desert, illustrating just how aggressive players have been able to play the Utah layout this week.
Ghim’s round carried some drama of its own. His first bogey of the tournament came at the par-5 ninth after his second shot found the lava rocks. Instead of allowing the mistake to derail him, Ghim ripped off six birdies on the back nine.
Now the 30-year-old gets another opportunity to break through after 191 previous PGA Tour starts.
“It would be a dream come true,” Ghim said.
The chase isn’t completely limited to the final pairing. Trace Crowe and Ben James are tied for third at 18-under after each shot 64 Saturday, five strokes behind Smotherman.
Johnny Keefer also produced one of Saturday’s biggest rounds with a 9-under 62.
For Smotherman and Ghim, however, Sunday carries considerably more than trophy implications. A victory would bring a two-year PGA Tour exemption and valuable security during the FedExCup Fall.
Smotherman has the advantage. Ghim is close enough to make sure it won’t feel comfortable.
