Golf

Michael Brennan makes most of PGA sponsor exemption

By AAP Newswire

Oct 25, 2025

Karl Vilips will be hoping for a big finish to boost his chances of retaining his full playing card. -AP

Michael Brennan has taken full advantage of a sponsor's invitation to lead the PGA Tour's Utah Championship after a second day was cut short by poor light.

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Brennan, who earned a Korn Ferry Tour spot with a dominant late-summer burst on the PGA Tour Americas, has charged to the top of the field at Black Desert.

The American, playing on a sponsor exemption, shot a six-under 65 on Friday to take a one-stroke lead in the darkness-suspended second round.

"It's very exciting to be in a tour event," Brennan said. "I wasn't sure I was going to be playing any this fall, so to have the opportunity to play in one is awesome.

"I'm just very grateful to be here. It's been a really fun week so far. Hopefully, it stays that way."

The 23-year-old former Wake Forest player won three times in a four-event stretch on the PGA Tour Americas in August and September, and topped the season points list to take the first of 10 Korn Ferry Tour spots available on the tour.

"It's given me so much great experience playing on the Americas Tour this year and having some success," said Brennan, who made a 40-foot eagle putt on the par-5 ninth.

"I feel like I'll definitely be more prepared for this weekend after having those experiences. I know it's not the same level, but I am going to try to treat them the exact same and see what happens."

Brennan had a 10-under 132 total.

Pierceson Coody (64), Jackson Suber (67) and Justin Lower (67) were at nine under.

In the FedEx Cup standings, Suber is 127th, Lower 129th 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.

Defending champion Matt McCarty played his opening nine - the back nine on the course - in seven-under 28, then went one over the rest of the way for a 65. He was at eight under, and entered the week 84th in the FedEx Cup.

David Ford was eight under with six holes left, while first-round leader Thorbjorn Olesen is at seven under after a 70. He's 116th in the FedEx Cup.

Australian Karl Vilips, who entered the week at No.92 and is hoping for a good tournament, is at three under after his even-par round.

Vilips, who is tied 48th, has dropped 24 spots in the field but still has three holes to play.

Harrison Endycott, who started the week at No.238 in the standings, is also at three under.

He is one over for the round but still has six holes to improve his position.