After Team USA’s comeback win at the Presidents Cup, the fall swing continues this week with the Bank of Utah Championship at Black Desert Resort (par 71, 7,421 yards, bentgrass greens) in Ivins, Utah, where the tournament has been held since its 2024 debut. Michael Brennan (-22) won last year’s event by four strokes, and Matt McCarty (-23) won the inaugural edition two years ago by three strokes. The field consists of 120 golfers, with a top-65 and ties cut after the first two rounds this week.
The Black Desert Resort is a scenic desert track surrounded by Utah’s red rock mountains. This long, flat course features wide fairways, minimal rough, large greens, 44 bunkers and water in play on two holes. The venue measures 7,421 yards, which is long for a par 71, but it plays much shorter because it sits about 3,100 feet above sea level. Every player will naturally hit the ball farther, and any golfer can be targeted at this venue.
We need to seek out players in strong form with their irons and, most importantly, their flat stick, as the large greens at the Black Desert Resort and the easy scoring conditions of this par 71 put a heavy emphasis on putting. During their wins here, both Brennan and McCarty finished the tournament top-eight in SGP. The Black Desert Resort is a traditional par 71 with 10 par fours, and scoring on these holes is vital to success, as both Brennan and McCarty ranked second in par four performance during their wins at this venue.
Let’s dive into three of my favorite DraftKings bargain plays for the Bank of Utah Championship, all costing less than $7.5K.
Set your DraftKings fantasy golf lineups here: PGA TOUR $125K Sand Trap [$25K to 1st]
Top DraftKings DFS Bargain Plays for the Bank of Utah Championship
Seamus Power ($7,300)
Power has made the cut at both Bank of Utah Championships, including a T11 two years ago. During that finish, the Irishman shot a 7-under 64 in the second round and a 6-under 65 in the final round. In addition to the positive results at the Black Desert Resort, Power is on the heels of a T7 finish at the Biltmore Championship Asheville two weeks ago.
Power shot a 67 or lower in all four rounds at the Cliffs and gained strokes in every major category, except off the tee. This marked Power’s third top-12 finish in his last five starts, and he brings that upside to the Black Desert Resort this week.
Patrick Rodgers ($7,000)
Rodgers is coming off a T18 at the FedEx St. Jude Championship last month, a stacked field and the first leg of the FedEx Cup Playoffs. Rodgers shot under par in three of four rounds at TPC Southwind, including a 3-under 67 on Thursday.
The 34-year-old has been reliable this season, making 17-of-23 cuts and producing six top-25 finishes. Rodgers ranks 41st in SGP and is looking to build off his T18 at TPC Southwind; he now travels to the Black Desert Resort, where he has been great, finishing T11 and T27 in two starts. Rodgers has shot as low as a 6-under 65 at this par 71, and he is a steal at this low price tag.
Justin Lower ($6,700)
Lower has been consistent lately, missing only one cut in his last six starts. Last time out, Lower finished T33 at the Biltmore Championship Asheville earlier this month, and he fired a 7-under 64 in the third round at the Cliffs that week. Lower has gained strokes on approach in four of his last five starts.
After missing the cut in his first attempt at the Black Desert Resort in 2024, he redeemed himself last year with a T3 finish — the second-best PGA TOUR finish of his career. While we can’t expect Lower to contend again, finishing inside the top 25 is definitely in line with his compelling form.
