PGA Betting Preview 2025 Bank Of Utah Championship
Summary
The FedEx Cup Fall continues in Ivins, Utah, at the Bank of Utah Championship hosted by Black Desert Resort. This Tom Weiskopf-designed course, set 3,100 feet above sea level amidst a lava field, plays shorter than its 7,421-yard par 71 due to the elevation. With near-ideal weather and light winds forecasted, low scores are expected, potentially surpassing Matt McCarty’s winning total of 261 from last year.
A strong field is competing, including top players like Alex Noren, Maverick McNealy, and Kurt Kitayama. Defending champion McCarty returns, and other contenders such as Rico Hoey and Christiaan Bezuidenhout are in good form. Michael Thorbjornsen is the current betting favorite, followed closely by McNealy and Kitayama. The event also features numerous head-to-head tournament matchups for betting enthusiasts.
The FedEx Cup Fall schedule continues with the fourth of seven events, as PGA Tour pros head to Ivins, Utah, for the Bank of Utah Championship at Black Desert Resort. Known for its stunning red rock mountain scenery, the course is set amidst a dramatic lava field, with high-altitude play 3,100 feet above sea level. While the scorecard shows a par 71 course stretching 7,421 yards, the course actually plays closer to 7,000 yards due to the elevation.
Last year, 10 players finished 16-under-par or better in the inaugural PGA Tour event at Black Desert, with Matt McCarty (-23) claiming victory in just his third PGA Tour start, posting a 72-hole score of 261. Desert winds are the primary challenge for the course, but light winds are expected this year, with the afternoon wave of players experiencing slightly breezier conditions. Near-ideal mid-70s temperatures and sunny skies, with some clouds over the weekend, should set the stage for scenic golf and low scoring, with a winning score likely to exceed 262.5.
Located just 10 miles from St. George and 120 miles from Las Vegas, Black Desert Resort is part of the Greater Zion region. The course was designed by Tom Weiskopf, who tragically passed away in 2022 before he could see his 93rd course completed. With its forgiving, bentgrass fairways, players will often hit drivers off the tee and can easily reach the par-5 holes. However, natural hazards along the fairways force players to keep their ball in play if they want to attack the oversized greens. Stray balls can end up in the rocky black lava outcrops, as the course was built directly into an ancient basaltic lava field. The course features numerous blind shots, which is something players may not be used to seeing on the PGA Tour.
Key Players to Watch
Golf continues to be one of the most popular sports to bet on, with a wide variety of options available each event. This year’s field includes Alex Noren and Maverick McNealy from the world top 20, as well as Kurt Kitayama, Billy Horschel, and Jason Day, all ranked in the top 50. Defending champion Matt McCarty is also in the field, alongside five other players in the top 70.
Odds to Win the 2025 Bank of Utah Championship
The following are the leading favorites and contenders for the Bank of Utah Championship, with odds from BetOnline (subject to change):
- +1600: M. Thorbjornsen
- +1800: M. McNealy, K. Kitayama
- +2000: A. Noren
- +2200: R. Hoey
- +2500: D. Thompson
- +3000: K. Yu, M. McCarty
- +3300: J. Day
- +3500: T. Olesen, C. Bezuidenhout
- +4500: M. Homa, A. Smalley, R. Gerard
- +5000: M. Wallace, P. Coody, T. Montgomery
- +5000: A. Potgieter, W. Mouw, S. Fisk
- +5500: E. Grillo, C. Champ
As for comparable courses, Weiskopf designed TPC Scottsdale (home of the annual Phoenix event) and TPC Summerlin in Las Vegas (previously hosting the Shriners Open before Vegas was dropped from the PGA Tour schedule in 2025).
Player Profiles and Stats
Here’s a closer look at some of the top contenders, based on recent form and statistics:
Alex Noren
The 43-year-old Swede has been in excellent form, particularly with his putting. He has also been gaining strokes off the tee and on approach, with a solid ability to keep the ball in play. Noren has had top finishes at TPC Scottsdale and TPC Summerlin in recent years, making him a strong contender in desert conditions.
Kurt Kitayama
The Las Vegas resident has shown impressive improvements in ball-striking, particularly in the Fall Swing. The 32-year-old ranks highly in Strokes Gained: Approach, Off the Tee, and Birdies or Better stats. Kitayama’s victory at the 3M Open and his breakthrough win at the 2023 Arnold Palmer Invitational showcased his ability to win on a tough, high-quality field.
Rico Hoey
The 30-year-old from the Philippines has made significant strides with his driving and long iron play. After switching to a long putter, Hoey has significantly improved his putting. He finished T21 at this event last year and could be a strong candidate for the first-round leader role, especially with favorable early tee times and less wind.
Christiaan Bezuidenhout
The 31-year-old South African has been in great form with a pair of top-10 finishes in the Fall events. His Driving Accuracy and Birdies or Better stats make him a player to watch, especially with his solid proximity to the hole and reliable putting. Bezuidenhout also had a top-5 finish at TPC Scottsdale earlier this year.
Kevin Yu (Yu Chun-an)
The 27-year-old Taiwanese pro has significantly improved his putting, now ranking among the top-15 in the field. With strong driving, off-the-tee play, and longer irons, Yu is primed to break through after his first PGA Tour win at the Sanderson Farms Championship last year.
William Mouw
A lesser-known but intriguing longshot, the 25-year-old Mouw ranks in the Top 25 for Total Driving and Off the Tee. With excellent putting, he could be a dark horse in this event.
Tournament Matchups
BetOnline offers an extensive range of 72-hole tournament matchups each week. Here are some of the key matchups to watch:
- William Mouw (-115) vs. Jesper Svensson (-105)
- Kevin Yu (-129) vs. Thorbjorn Olesen (+108)
- Christiaan Bezuidenhout (-127) vs. Matt Wallace (+106)
- Davis Thompson (-150) vs. Jason Day (+125)
- Maverick McNealy (-120) vs. Michael Thorbjornsen
- Ryan Gerard (-129) vs. Max Homa (+108)
- Matt McCarty (-125) vs. Emiliano Grillo (+105)
- Cameron Champ (-120) vs. Aldrich Potgieter (+100)
Bet on the Action
BetOnline provides numerous opportunities for fans to wager on their favorite players, whether you’re betting on individual matchups or round-by-round action. Get in on the action and place your bets today!