#180 BLACK DESERT CLASSIC 

#180 BLACK DESERT CLASSIC 

BLACK DESERT RESORTS

Ivins, UT. Purse $7.5M Par 71 

October 9-16, 2024

HISTORY None, but scenery is spectacular! 

This is the first PGA tournament held in Utah since Tommy Jacobs won the Utah Open in 1963.

Another famous golf course in Utah is Sand Hollow Resort in Hurricane UT.  It was one of the 300 courses author Tom Coyne played while writing his book “A Course Called America”.

The field of 132 features players who are outside the top 50.  It is impossible to pick a winner as shown by the odds for the top 10 favorites.  However the winner will receive FedX points, $1.3M, PGA playing privileges for 2025 and invitation to play in the first 2 signature events for 2025 The Sentry Jan 2-5 & American Express Jan 16-19.

FEEL GOOD STORY  This week Harry Higgs regained his status on the PGA Tour with 3 Korn Ferry Victories and finishing 8th in points this year.  Born in Camden NJ Dec 6, 1991, grew up in Overland Park KS, attended SMU and won the American Conference Championship in 2014 with Bryson DeChambeau as a teammate.  Known as “The peoples golfer” because of his outgoing personality, he now lives in Dallas but is still a big Philadelphia Eagles fan.  

More information on Harry available in Volume 2 Part 3 Page 11.     

FAVORITES

Keith Mitchell 16/1 Favored at Sanderson farms last week and played well until hole #72.

Kurt Kuitayama 25/1 A good pick he has had plenty of rest and is one of the best in the field.

Beau Hossler 28/1 Another good pick played well enough to win but Kevin Yu got hot on RD4.

Chris Kirk 30/1 Last win was The Sentry last year and if he wins he will be invited back.

Seamus Power 30/1 Another player without a win last year and needs one.

Patrick Rogers 33/1 He and Cameron Young have the most potential without a PGA win.

One of these 6 should win, but in these tournaments someone usually comes out of nowhere.

LONGSHOTS

Patrick Fishburn 30/1 From Utah and went to BYU, 48th last week, scores got worse each RD.

Michael Thorbjornsen 35/1 #2 in 1st RD last week and finished 8th.

Ryan Fox 35/1 Was in the hunt last week with 4 RDS -70 finished 11th. 

Lucas Glover 40/1 Last week 4 RDs 67 or under to finish 3rd and he is due for a win.

Kevin Yu 50/1 Unlikely to win again but shot 3 RDs of 66, a bogie free Rd 4 to win last week.

Daniel Berger 60/1 Among early leaders finished 7th last week keeps getting better each week.

David Skins 80/1 Led after 1st RD last week 60, but 75 on 3rd to finish 37th. 

Cameron Champ 80/1 Missed the cut last week and seems to play every week, real longshot.

Pierceson Coody 100/1 Lowest of published odds. 

Photo: thespectrum.com