Blake Tomlinson, the 2022 champion, holds the 36-hole lead at the 100th playing of the Utah Open according to a report published August 16. Tomlinson, a former University of Utah golfer, shot a 10-under 62 on Saturday at Riverside Country Club to move into the top spot on the leaderboard.
Tomlinson's performance was just one stroke away from the tournament record of 61, which was set by Derek Fribbs two years ago. He attributed his success to a strong short game and stated he felt good after recording consecutive birdies on the first two holes. Tomlinson expressed a desire to secure a second title at the event.
Carson Lundell sits in second place at 14-under 130 after following an opening 63 with a 5-under 67. First-year professional Simon Kwon is also at 14-under, joining Tomlinson and Lundell in Sunday's final pairing. The final group is scheduled to tee off at 11:20 a.m. from the first tee at Provo's Riverside Country Club.
Other notable performers include Keanu Akina, a former BYU golfer, who matched Tomlinson's 62 for the low round of the day. Akina moved into a tie for seventh at 12-under 132. The leaderboard features a significant number of Utah players, with local competitors occupying the first 12 positions.
The tournament field includes several first-year professionals in contention, such as Simon Kwon, Jackson Rhees, Tyson Shelley, Braxton Watts, and John Fox. In the amateur division, Jackson Mauss is the low amateur through 36 holes, tied for seventh at 12-under, with Parker Bunn one stroke behind in a tie for 10th. The cut for the tournament was set at 1-under 143.
