00:00 – Kihei Akina and Cougars Tee Off at Korn Ferry Utah Championship
04:01 – Étienne Papineau Leads Utah Championship After Round 1
1. Kihei Akina and Cougars Tee Off at Korn Ferry Utah Championship
Join us as we cover the exciting opening round of the Korn Ferry Utah Championship featuring Kihei Akina and BYU alumni Daniel Summerhays, Peter Kuest, and Cole Ponich. Discover their journey, past performances, and what to expect in this thrilling 72-hole tournament at Ogden Golf and Country Club. Don’t miss the live coverage on Golf Channel and follow the leaderboard for real-time updates!
2. Étienne Papineau Leads Utah Championship After Round 1
Étienne Papineau holds the first-round lead at the Utah Championship presented by Zions Bank and Intermountain Health with a 9-under 61.
He carded a career-low round, highlighted by eagles at the par-4 fourth and par-5 15th.
Papineau is looking to secure his first win on the Korn Ferry Tour.
The Utah Championship is a premier golf tournament, featuring top players from around the world.
Watch for updates and highlights from the tournament.
Étienne Papineau is in the lead, but other players are close behind, including Taylor Montgomery and Adrien Dumont de Chassart.
The tournament is being held in Utah, with beautiful scenery and challenging golf courses.
Golf fans won’t want to miss this exciting tournament.
Kihei Akina and Cougars tea off at Cornferry Utah Championship. Golf enthusiasts, get ready for an exciting showdown as a fresh face and seasoned veterans from BYU gear up to compete in one of Utah’s premier golfing events. The Cornferry Utah Championship is set to kick off this Thursday at the picturesque Ogden Golf and Country Club and it promises to deliver drama on the greens. Kihei Akina, a rising freshman star, will be joined by three proud BYU alumni, Daniel Summerhaz, Peter Quest, and Cole Ponic as they tee off in the opening round of this prestigious tournament. This isn’t just another golf event. It’s a celebration of talent, determination, and local pride. And here’s the twist. These players are not only competing for glory, but also aiming to make their mark in a stacked field of 156 competitors. For anyone unfamiliar with the Cornferryy Tour, think of it as the proving ground where tomorrow’s PGA superstars sharpen their skills. Now, let’s dive into what makes this year’s championship so special. Akina, who tied for 49th place last year with an impressive 13 underpar score of 271, has earned his spot through a sponsor’s exemption. This young athlete has already shown glimpses of brilliance, including his participation in the Black Desert Championship last fall during his sole PGA Tour appearance. Will he rise to the occasion this time around? That’s the question fans will be asking as they watch him navigate the challenging course. Cole Ponic, another player benefiting from a sponsor’s exemption, brings his own story of perseverance to the table. A two-time champion, having claimed victory at the 2024 Utah State Amateur and the 2025 Provo Open, Ponic is no stranger to high stakes competition. However, making the cut in the Utah Championship has eluded him in previous attempts. With this being his third shot at the title, can he finally break through and silence critics? Golf fans love a good underdog story, and Ponic might just deliver one this weekend. But wait, there’s more firepower in this group. Daniel Summerhazes, the runner up in the 2020 Utah Championship, knows exactly what it takes to shine in this tournament. His experience and composure under pressure make him a formidable contender. Likewise, Peter Cust, who finished fifth in 2022, has demonstrated consistency and skill that could propel him toward another top tier performance. Together, these four athletes represent a blend of youth and experience that adds depth and intrigue to the competition. The stakes couldn’t be higher. As the Cornferryy Tour’s 20th stop out of 26 total events this season, the Utah Championship serves as a critical juncture for players hoping to climb the rankings and secure their spots on the PGA Tour. Every swing matters, every putt counts, and every decision could mean the difference between triumph and heartbreak. For those eager to catch all the action, tune in to the Golf Channel from 6:00 p.m. to 900 p.m. MST on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, and from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. MST on Sunday. If you’re looking for realtime updates, head over to the Cornferryy Tours official website for live scoring throughout the event. So, here’s something to ponder. Do you think Kihei Akina’s rookie energy will outshine the seasoned expertise of Summer Hayes and Quist? Or will Cole Ponic prove that persistence truly pays off? This tournament is shaping up to be a battleground of contrasting styles and strategies. And we want to hear your thoughts. Share your predictions, insights, or favorite moments in the comments below. Who do you believe will emerge victorious and why? Etien Papino leads Utah Championship after round one. In a stunning display of skill, Etienne Papino has taken the lead in the first round of the Utah Championship presented by Zans’s Bank and Inter Mountain Health with an impressive score of 9 under 61. This remarkable achievement not only showcases his talent, but also sets the stage for an exciting tournament ahead. A closer look at the leader. As we delve into Papano’s performance, it’s essential to highlight some key statistics that paint a picture of his journey in the corn ferry tour. Age 28. Current cornfairy tour points list position. Number 129. 2025 season stats 19 starts, zero wins, and no top 10 finishes. Career stats on cornfairy tour. 43 starts, zero wins, and one top 10 finish. performance at Utah Championship. One start, zero wins, and zero top 10 finishes. Papo’s round of nine under 61 marks a personal best, featuring two Eagles, one on the par4 fourth hole and another on the par 515th. This round is particularly significant as it comes during his 131st appearance on the corn ferry tour, surpassing his previous best of seven under 63 achieved at the 2024 Aara Golf Championship. Interestingly, he is one of only two players in the field to have recorded two Eagles in this round alongside Ranchapong Yupraong. This first round lead is a notable milestone for Papano as it marks his first time holding the lead or co-lead after any round on the cornfairy tour. Previously, his best position after 18 holes was tied for ninth at the 2024 Veritex Bank Championship where he ultimately finished tied for 55th. Entering this week, Papo faced challenges, having missed the cut in 14 out of 19 starts this season with his only top 25 finish, occurring at the Ascendant presented by Blue, where he placed tied for 19th in mid July. Last season, he finished 70th on the Cornferry Tour points list as a rookie, which granted him fully exempt status for the 2025 season. His journey also includes two seasons on the PGA Tour Canada where a victory at the 2023 Times Colonist Victoria Open helped him secure a fourth place finish in the 2023 Fortnet Cup standings leading to his corn ferry tour membership for the 2024 season. Papo’s collegiate career spanned 5 years at West Virginia University 2016 to 2021 where he earned the title of most improved player after his junior year. Additional highlights from round one. Taylor Montgomery, a graduate from the Kornferryy Tour class of 2022, is currently in second place with a score of 8 under 62. This marks his third start on the cornfairy tour this season and he has tied his career low round on both the PGA tour and cornfairy tour with this performance. Adrien Deont Desasard, another cornfairy tour winner and class of 2023 graduate sits in third place at 7 under. He has recorded four rounds of 63 or lower this season with his best being an astonishing 11 under 59 in the first round of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas Witchah Open. Blades Brown, an 18-year-old professional and open qualifier, is tied for fourth at 6 under 64. He is on the cusp of earning special temporary membership for the remainder of the 2025 season, needing a two-way tie for 40th or better. Honor how a native of Ogden, Utah, is tied for sixth at five under, achieving his lowest round on the tour since a final round 64 at the 2024 Utah Championship. Cole Ponich a Bigham Young University alum, is making his professional debut on the corn ferry tour and opened with a solid four under 66. He previously won the 2024 Utah State Amateur Championship and the 2025 Provo Open. Bo Hogue, a Kornferryy Tour winner, also started strong with a 4under 66 in his second appearance on the tour this season. Join the conversation. As the tournament progresses, the excitement builds. Will Papo maintain his lead, or will another player rise to the occasion? This is the part that often sparks debate. Can a player with a history of missed cuts turn their fortunes around in a single tournament? What do you think? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
