Returning to the PGA Tour
Arizona State University sophomore Bowen Mauss will make his second career PGA Tour appearance at the Bank of Utah Championship starting Oct. 1 in Ivins, Utah, following his recent victory at the 128th Utah State Amateur Championship. Mauss, a Draper native and graduate of Corner Canyon High School, secured the state title on July 12, 2026, by defeating Cameron Crawford 9 & 7 to become the first repeat winner of the event since 2018.
Rising Sun Devil Talent
Mauss enters the Bank of Utah Championship at Black Desert Resort with significant momentum from his performance in the Utah State Amateur. After winning the 127th edition of the championship in 2025, the 19-year-old defended his title this past July, marking him as the first back-to-back winner of the tournament since Preston Summerhays achieved the feat in 2018 and 2019. His victory at Soldier Hollow Golf Course in Midway included a commanding early lead, highlighted by an eagle on the seventh hole and a five-hole advantage heading into the final nine holes.
Beyond the state amateur success, Mauss has been a standout for Arizona State University. During his freshman season in 2025-26, he recorded three top-10 finishes, including a tie for sixth at the Oregon State Invitational and a tie for fifth at the Desimone Invitational, where he helped lead the Sun Devils to a 20-stroke victory. He also served as the top Sun Devil finisher at the Maridoe Intercollegiate, helping the team secure a runner-up finish.
Mauss has previously competed in the Bank of Utah Championship, earning a sponsor exemption to play in the 2024 event. In that appearance, he missed the cut after posting a score of 4-over par. Looking ahead to the upcoming tournament, he aims to improve upon that performance while competing against a field that includes past FedExCup champion Billy Horschel and three players who competed in the 2026 Presidents Cup, including Jackson Koivun.
Tournament Details and Statistics
The Bank of Utah Championship, now in its third consecutive year at Black Desert Resort, features a $6 million total purse, with the winner set to take home $1.08 million and 500 FedExCup points. The par-71, 7,421-yard layout at the resort is expected to see sunny conditions with temperatures ranging from the upper 80s to the low 90s throughout the tournament week.
Defending champion Michael Brennan, who won the 2025 tournament at 22 under par, will be a key figure in the field. Other notable players include Maverick McNealy, Tony Finau, and Max Homa. The tournament's field consists of 120 players, including seven individuals with ties to Utah.
According to the PGA Tour, Mauss's recent statistical profile shows strength in his driving game, with an average Strokes Gained: Off-the-Tee of 0.257 over his last five tournaments. However, data indicates room for improvement in other areas, including a -2.006 average in Strokes Gained: Putting and a -1.403 average in Strokes Gained: Approach the Green over the same period.
Supporting Local Golf
The Bank of Utah Championship is the only Utah-based event on the PGA Tour. The tournament has become a significant platform for elevating local talent, a goal supported by a strategic partnership between the Bank of Utah and the Utah Golf Association. This partnership aims to create opportunities for the state's top golfers to compete on a national stage.
Benjamin F. Browning, CEO of Bank of Utah, stated that the bank is proud to see the partnership create opportunities for Utah's top golfers and expressed excitement in welcoming Mauss to compete against the world's best at Black Desert Resort. Ashley Dove, Executive Director of the Bank of Utah Championship, noted that creating opportunities for the state's best players to compete on a national stage is a primary goal of the tournament.
Easton Folster, Executive Director of the Utah Golf Association, also congratulated Mauss on his performance, stating that he is deserving of the opportunity to play in the Bank of Utah Championship and that the partnership provides an environment for elevating golf across the state.
Looking Ahead
Mauss's recent success in the state amateur has also earned him an invitation to the United States Amateur, which is scheduled to be held next month at Marion Golf Club in Pennsylvania.
The Bank of Utah Championship is scheduled to take place from October 1 through October 4, 2026. Fans can follow the action via Golf Channel from 5-8 p.m. ET, or through PGA TOUR LIVE on the ESPN App. Radio coverage will be available on SiriusXM and PGATOUR.com.
Competitive Landscape
The tournament's history at Black Desert Resort includes a single-round scoring record of 60, set by Adam Svensson during the first round of the 2024 event. The course will feature a playoff hole at No. 18, which is repeated if necessary.
Mauss's journey from Corner Canyon High School to the PGA Tour stage highlights the growing competitive landscape of Utah golf. As he prepares for his second professional appearance, the sophomore Sun Devil remains focused on his long-term goal of winning a national championship and competing on the PGA Tour.
