The Black Desert Championship marks the first time in over 60 years that the PGA Tour will host an event in the state of Utah. Ascending upon a recently finished golf course, those in the field will have to maneuver through lava fields as they aim to make their way into the winner’s circle by week’s end. Having to contend with altitude as well, players will have their hands full as the FedEx Cup Fall continues to heat up.
Seamus Power, Patrick Rodgers and Harris English are firmly inside the Aon Next 10 — Nos. 51-60 in the FedEx Cup standings — at the onset of the week, but if the Sanderson Farms Championship taught us anything, it is that four solid rounds can make a world of difference. Just ask Keith Mitchell and Beau Hossler, both of whom were in contention last Sunday but ultimately fell short and remain outside the top 60.
Just on the cusp of qualifying for the first two signature events of 2025, the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am and the Genesis Invitational, Mtichell and Hossler find themselves in the company of Ben Griffin, Erik van Rooyen and Lucas Glover as players needing to make a move before the calendar flips to the new year.
Another crucial cut-off point — the top 125 — should receive some attention this week as a couple big names look to move inside the number. Fresh off the best finish since his back injury, Daniel Berger jumped to No. 129 in the season-long race just behind budding superstar Michael Thorbjornsen at No. 126.
2024 Black Desert Championship schedule
Dates: Oct. 10-13
Location: Black Desert Resort — Ivins, Utah
Par: 71 | Yardage: 7,371
Purse: $7,500,000
2024 Black Desert Championship field, odds
- Keith Mitchell (16-1): It was a brutal ending for Mitchell at the Sanderson Farms Championship as he held a two-stroke lead with five holes to play. With his ball-striking abandoning him down the stretch, the powerful right hander did well to give himself a look on the final hole to win in regulation. Unfortunately, he needed three putts, which was one too many in the end. Mitchell has now rattled off three straight top 12s dating back to the 2024 regular season, but he remains winless since 2019.
- Seamus Power (25-1)
- Kurt Kitayama (25-1)
- Beau Hossler (28-1): Hossler’s playoff loss to Yu represented his fourth runner-up finish of his PGA Tour career as he still searches for victory No. 1. His driver proved too much to overcome on the final hole as he missed the fairway on No. 18 in regulation and in extra time. While his putter remains a weapon, it’s the big stick in particular one should be weary of as it has a tendency to betray him in the heat of battle.
- Patrick Fishburn (30-1): Fishburn returns to his home state of Utah with plenty of form in tow. While it was a forgettable week in Mississippi, the big-hitting right hander still boasts four top-15 finishes in his last six starts dating back to the regular season. Possessing a beautiful blend of power off the tee and touch on the greens, the 32-year-old could threaten to win in his home state.
- Chris Kirk (30-1): Kirk comes into the Black Desert Championship as the only player in the field who qualified for the Tour Championship in 2024. A winner in the very first event of the season, Kirk then experienced a somewhat middling year, including a summer he would have wished to forget. After a month off, the Georgia product returned to the postseason where he collected a top-10 finish at the BMW Championship which was also played at altitude.
- Stephan Jaeger (30-1): Similar to Kirk, Jaeger’s spot in the signature events in 2025 is locked up thanks in large part to his win over Scottie Scheffler in Houston. Since then, the German’s iron play has abandoned him and the results are indicative of such. While his top-25 finish at the Sanderson Farms Championship may be some cause for optimism, Jaeger needs to find his feel with his scoring clubs if he is to nab his second win of the year.
- Erik van Rooyen (30-1)
- Chan Kim (35-1)
- Patrick Rodgers (35-1)
- Ben Griffin (35-1)
- Ryan Fox (35-1)
2024 Black Desert Championship expert picks
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