Utahns dominate day 2 of Utah Open golf tournament

The Utah Open golf tournament, marking its centennial year at Riverside Country Club, has seen an unprecedented dominance by local talent midway through the event. After 36 holes of play in the 54-hole competition sponsored by Larry H. Miller Company, the top eleven positions on the leaderboard are exclusively occupied by golfers native to Utah, all in their twenties and many with collegiate golf experience within the state.

Leading the pack is Blake Tomlinson, a 27-year-old former University of Utah golfer and the 2022 Utah Open champion. Tomlinson delivered an impressive second-round performance with a 10-under-par 62, bringing his total to 16-under 128, which places him two strokes ahead as the tournament heads into its concluding day. His round was highlighted by a strong start with multiple early birdies and a near-record back nine score, narrowly missing the tournament’s single-round record.

Close behind Tomlinson are three players tied at 130: Carson Lundell and Simon Kwon, both alumni of Brigham Young University (BYU), and Jackson Rhees, who formerly played at Utah Tech. Lundell, 28, has consistently been a contender in recent Utah Opens, yet is still seeking his first victory at this event despite recent successes including a recent Colorado Open win. This year, despite his solid scores, he expressed some frustration related to putting performance.

Other notable names clustered just behind include former BYU players Rhett Rasmussen and Tyson Shelley, tied for fifth at 131. The seventh-place tie at 132 features Braxton Watts, a former University of Utah player, alongside Keanu Akina and current BYU golfer Jackson Mauss. Additional Utah-born amateurs such as Parker Bunn and Salt Lake’s John Fox are also in the top ten, underscoring the depth of local talent.

Among competitors not originally from Utah, Colorado’s Derek Fribbs stands out as the highest-ranked non-Utahn, positioned tied for 12th with a score of 134. Fribbs is a seasoned participant with two previous Utah Open titles to his name, demonstrating enduring competitiveness within the tournament.

Emerging talent has also made its mark, with 16-year-old Blake Brown from Alpine, fresh off a recent national junior championship victory, among the contenders near the top of the leaderboard. Additionally, Brandon Robison, who recently turned professional and is a former University of Utah golfer, posted an impressive 64 in the second round, contributing to a competitive field of young professionals and amateurs alike.

Overall, the leaderboard after the second round showcases a strong representation from Utah’s collegiate golf programs and rising stars, reflecting the state’s growing prominence in the sport. The concentration of young, homegrown players vying for the title in the tournament’s milestone year highlights a vibrant local golf scene.

With the final round imminent, all eyes will be on Tomlinson as he seeks to secure a second Utah Open victory. The narrow margin separating the leaders promises a competitive conclusion, with several accomplished golfers capable of challenging for the championship.

The ongoing Utah Open continues to be a showcase for the state’s golfing talent, celebrating both tradition and the emergence of new contenders on Utah’s golf landscape.