PGA Tour Returns to Utah After 61-Year Hiatus
Adam Svensson was the focus in the first round of the 2024 Black Desert Championship after posting a record -11 with 60 shots to lead the pack by two shots. When the PGA returns to Utah for the first time in sixty-one years, a Canadian has determined that it is time to show off some golf, which he did at the Black Desert Resort, Ivins. As one of the sports daily previews noted, the course, designed by Tom Weiskopf, was well-suited to aggressive play, with several reachable par 4s that set the stage for low scores.
The Black Desert Championship is one of the highlights for many players on the water in the tour in the FedEx Cup Fall season, as it is an opportunity for players to earn points and guarantee themselves a position in the top 125 players, an assurance of a complete PGA tour card for the year 2025. The beautiful venue has several breathtaking rounds between the red rock mountains and the historical black lava fields, but none has been better than the rounds put up by Svensson.
Adam Svensson’s Dominant First Round
In the opening round of the Black Desert Championship, Adam Svensson put together a remarkable performance incorporating sharp putting and strategy management. He began strongly, reeling off seven birdies in the first 10 holes, including an 8-foot birdie putt on the par-4 fifth hole that showed how cool-headed he was on the course. This was at the required par-5 seventh, where he made a 35-foot eagle putt to grab the lead, and made important saves at the eighth and ninth holes keeping the drive intact.
Svensson came into the clubhouse with the board showing 11 under 60 instead of 11 under 59, so close to a round under 60 that the last hole’s bunker shot prevented it. Not realizing that he could have shot a 59, Svensson assumed the course was a standard par 72. Still, without all the distractions from his course strategy, his performance was good enough to put him two strokes ahead after play was delayed until nightfall.
Henrik Norlander’s Flawless Play
Henrik Norlander, who sits two shots behind Svensson, was also quite exceptional, scoring the best of his career, a remarkable 62. The Swede 37-year-old Norlander was perfect off the tee, hitting all 14 fairways and later all of the greens in regulation. Because of Norlander’s level of accuracy from tee to green he had no trouble in making the most of the scoring opportunities out there on the course because he made himself available close to the holes.
Norlander was in control of himself and of the ball and those were the contributing factors to his designed performance, and his round showed that he is ready to make a run for the top – 125 places required on the standings of the FedEx Cup in order to avoid the qualifying event, as he is currently in position 131. This week’s Black Desert Championship could be make or break for Norlander’s 2025 tour qualifications and the excellent start that he has made in the first round means that he will be having the impetus to make it, which he badly needs at this time.
Notable Performances and Surprises
Handling the corn ferry, Matt McCarty considers his action on the prestigious stage of the PGA tour debuting with 62 that even featured an eagle on the 5th hole, golfing par 4. He was able to play well, and it is evident that he is ready for the big leagues after redeeming himself with the winnings of the developmental tour that earned him a card to Jokasci Michaelon Aoodelog Sports. Kevin Streelman, for instance, entered with a 64 and many others, including Stephen Jaeger and Ben Kohles, finished their day with 65s.
More was in the wind as also birdie less ben Kohles took it up a notch by also sinking the 17th hole, which was albeit easy for some people as the pin was in a good spot. Others fared almost as well, thanks to an easy pin position. The 53-year-old Utah-born veteran Jay Don Blake who was playing his 500th golf tournament at the PGA tour, faced considerable odds and was 3-over par with three holes to golf when play was stopped due to darkness.
Looking Ahead to Round Two
When play is resumed, Svensson has a two-stroke advantage over the rest of the players, however, the rest of the players are very much in the chase. Because the course is of a softer, more playable grade, the likes of Norlander, McCarty, and Streelman have a fair chance of going for the title.
For the Tour players, this contest is rather historic, seeing that it will be held in Utah for the first time in over sixty years. In addition to the beautiful mountains surrounding the Black Desert Resort, the remaining holes of the round are guaranteed to be as enjoyable as the first one because the greens are challenging yet provide good scoring opportunities.
Viewers and gamblers on the outcome of the tournament events will watch, including those who wager when a fight develops for the PGA Tour by such players as Norlander, who wants to lock in a Tour card for the year 2025. As the competitive event goes on, it will come up that those using legal betting sites will come across several chances to bet on who is going to win the Black Desert Championship.
