CEDAR CITY, Utah — A former Thunderbird will return to Southern Utah and compete on one of golf's biggest stages this week.

Southern Utah Athletics Hall of Famer Zach J. Johnson will tee it up in the PGA TOUR's Bank of Utah Championship, set for Thursday-Sunday, Oct. 1-4, at Black Desert Resort in Ivins, Utah.

Johnson, who competed for Southern Utah from 2001-05, earned his place in the field by capturing the Utah Section PGA Professional Championship on Sept. 15 at Logan Country Club.

The former Thunderbird posted rounds of 68 and 70 to finish the 36-hole championship at 2-under-par 138, tied with Casey Fowles. Johnson then delivered a 15-foot birdie putt on the first playoff hole to claim his third Utah Section PGA Professional Championship and secure a spot in the PGA TOUR event at Black Desert.

"This is the icing on the cake for sure," Johnson told the Utah Section PGA following the victory. "It's been a fun year. I love playing golf, so to play well and see some good results is fun. Very satisfying."

Back Where It Started

Johnson's appearance at Black Desert brings his professional career back to Southern Utah, where his collegiate career took shape more than two decades ago.

A Salt Lake City native, Johnson competed for the Thunderbirds from 2001-05 and established himself among the program's top players. His career and continued connection to Southern Utah eventually earned him induction into the Southern Utah Athletics Hall of Fame in 2019.

Southern Utah head golf coach Richard Church, who coached Johnson during his Thunderbird career, has praised Johnson not only for what he accomplished at SUU but also for the way he has continued to represent the program.

"Zach is the epitome of what a great T-Bird is, both in his time here playing with us and since he's moved on," Church said when Johnson was selected for the SUU Athletics Hall of Fame in 2019. "He has stayed very involved with the program, he's dedicated his time to growing the game of golf in the state of Utah, along with the fact that he has been and forever will be a T-Bird."

Johnson's career following his time in Cedar City has included success throughout the Utah golf community and appearances on the national stage.

In 2018, Johnson tied for 12th at the PGA Professional Championship to earn a place in the PGA Championship at Bellerive Country Club in St. Louis. The appearance made Johnson the first former Southern Utah golfer to compete in one of golf's four major championships.

His career accomplishments also include winning the 2013 Utah Open and 2018 TaylorMade National Championship.

Now, Johnson will have another opportunity to represent the Thunderbirds on a national stage — this time just down Interstate 15 from Cedar City.

Earning His Way to Black Desert

Johnson's trip to the Bank of Utah Championship came through a dramatic finish at the Utah Section PGA Professional Championship.

After Johnson and Fowles finished regulation tied at 2-under, the championship went to a playoff. Johnson had an opportunity to end it on the opening playoff hole and rolled in the 15-footer for birdie.

"After he missed, it was a chance to regroup and say, 'How fun would it be to make a putt to win the Section and get yourself in a Tour event?'" Johnson told the Utah Section PGA following the tournament.

He did exactly that.

The championship was Johnson's third Utah Section PGA Professional Championship title and punched his ticket to Black Desert.

"It's going to be long. It's going to be a challenge for us, but the fun part is being there," Johnson said following his qualifying victory. "Hopefully my kids can get away from school and come down and enjoy it."

Thursday's Opening Round

Johnson will begin his Bank of Utah Championship Thursday at 2:09 p.m. MT, starting from the No. 10 tee.

He will play the opening two rounds alongside Zecheng Dou and Gordon Sargent.

The Bank of Utah Championship is the second event of the PGA TOUR's 2026 FedExCup Fall and will be contested on Black Desert Resort's par-71, 7,421-yard layout.

For Johnson, the week provides another opportunity to test his game against a PGA TOUR field while returning to the region where he spent four years representing Southern Utah.

And more than 20 years after his final season as a Thunderbird, Johnson will once again represent Southern Utah on one of golf's biggest stages.

Tournament Information

What: Bank of Utah Championship
When: Thursday-Sunday, Oct. 1-4
Where: Black Desert Resort | Ivins, Utah
Course: Black Desert Resort
Par/Yardage: 71 | 7,421 yards
Johnson's Thursday Tee Time: 2:09 p.m. MT
Starting Tee: No. 10
Playing Partners: Zecheng Dou and Gordon Sargent
Purse: $6 million

How to Follow

Golf Channel: Thursday-Sunday, 3-6 p.m. MT
PGA TOUR LIVE on ESPN App: Thursday-Friday, 7:45 a.m.-6 p.m. MT
PGA TOUR Radio: Thursday-Friday, noon-6 p.m. MT

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