{"version":"1.0","type":"rich","provider_name":"Acast","provider_url":"https://acast.com","height":250,"width":700,"html":"<iframe src=\"https://embed.acast.com/$/680a0159fcccdba3a5365c3e/6ac09b5e5558f9dbe2a4e797?\" frameBorder=\"0\" width=\"700\" height=\"250\"></iframe>","title":"Smotherman’s Surge & An Albatross at Black Desert - October 3rd, 2026","description":"<p>On October 3rd, 2026, we recap the first two rounds of the Bank of Utah Championship, where Austin Smotherman took the 36-hole lead at 17-under and wild shots defined a dramatic Friday at Black Desert Resort.</p><p><br></p><h3>THE LEADERBOARD</h3><ul><li>Austin Smotherman fired a blistering 62 to reach 17-under, crediting his altitude prep with launch monitors, a coaching switch to Josh Gregory, and a brand-new custom L.A.B. Golf putter for his stellar play.</li><li>He&#39;s closely chased by Kevin Roy at 16-under, who hit every single fairway in round two to bolster his fight for a 2027 Tour card.</li><li>48-year-old course ambassador Kevin Streelman sits at 15-under, stubbornly refusing to replace his vintage 2006 Odyssey 2-ball blade putter.</li></ul><p><br></p><h3>WILD SHOTS &amp; CUTLINE DRAMA</h3><ul><li>Friday delivered unbelievable fireworks, highlighted by Jordan Smith’s 238-yard albatross on the 9th hole, completing a bizarre statistical anomaly of recording an ace, eagle, and albatross in just three starts.</li><li>&quot;Are you kidding no way oh my God from three back to a share of the lead,&quot; the broadcast raved after Smith&#39;s incredible hole-out.</li><li>Harry Hall pulled off a miraculous escape from the bushes on the 13th (&quot;this could be the all time greatest forever wow&quot;), while hometown favorite Tony Finau shockingly missed the 6-under cut due to a freezing cold putter.</li></ul><p><br></p><h3>CHARITY &amp; RESORT EXPANSION</h3><ul><li>The tournament generated a massive $400,000 charitable impact for the Utah Golf Legacy Fund, First Tee Utah to &quot;raise the next generation of successful adults,&quot; and the Policy Project&#39;s 2,500 pantry kits.</li><li>Bank of Utah CEO Ben Browning stated, &quot;Champions are built when people see potential remove barriers,&quot; while Emily Bell McCormick praised the gamified financial literacy as &quot;hugely engaging and interesting to them.&quot;</li><li>Patrick Manning revealed massive resort expansion plans on the horizon, including a brand-new 2027 water park and &quot;The Backyard&quot; hospitality zone.</li></ul><p><br></p><h3>Quick Hits</h3><p>Steven Alker shot 5-under carrying his own bag after his caddie Troy collapsed • Jackson Koivun made the cut on the number with a dart on the 12th • J.J. Spaun chipped in from &quot;way downtown&quot; like a dropping three-pointer • Haotong Li hit a spinning wedge &quot;dancing around the stick&quot; on 18.</p>","author_name":"Golf.ai"}