Golf

Third PGA start a charm for Brennan at Black Desert

By AAP Newswire

Oct 26, 2025

PGA — Defending champion Matt McCarty is two shots off the lead in the Black Desert Championship. -AP

Michael Brennan has made the most of his sponsor exemption to take a two-shot lead into the final round of the Black Desert Championship in Utah.

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Brennan shot a 7-under 64 on Saturday in sunny conditions on the scenic course framed by red-rock cliffs to be 17 under for the tournament ahead of defending champion Matt McCarty.

"I have a great opportunity tomorrow, so try to take advantage of it, stay focused," Brennan said.

Making his third career PGA Tour start and first as a professional, Brennan is trying to become the first player to win on a sponsor exemption since Nick Dunlap last year in the American Express.

"I was a little nervous, definitely," Brennan said.

"I've had some experience, and I hope to draw on that tomorrow. But when you're out on the golf course it's just you and the golf course."

McCarty also shot 64 on Saturday, closing birdie-birdie-birdie-bogey-birdie-birdie-birdie. He entered the week 84th in the FedEx Cup standings.

"Just hit a lot of good shots," he said. "Got a few putts to drop. Hit a good putt on 15, too. Just kind of bumped a little bit."

Rico Hoey (63), Kevin Yu (63) and Pierceson Coody (66) were tied for third at 14 under.

Hayden Springer (62) and Thorbjorn Olesen (65) were 13 under.

The best placed Australians in the field are Harrison Endycott who is tied for 37th at seven under while Jason day is tied for 46th a further stroke behind.

In the FedEx Cup. Yu is 61st, Hoey 91st, Olesen 116th, Springer 131st and Coody 133rd.

After this week, only three tournaments remain in the season for players to finish among the top 100 in the FedEx Cup to keep full cards for the 2026 season.

The top 100 has been reduced from 125 players keeping their cards a year ago.