The PGA Tour pros are gearing up to face the challenges presented by the Black Desert Championship, the tournament’s debut event at the Black Desert Resort in Utah. With the opportunity to collect FedEx points for next year and earn one last big payday before the season ends, the pros have their work cut out for them. One unique challenge they must navigate is playing on a new course, the Tom Weiskopf-designed layout at Black Desert Resort. This 18-hole course is unlike any other on the Tour, set in the Utah desert with fairways and greens lined with black lava rock and surrounded by red mesas and the snow-covered Rockies in the distance.
The high elevation of the Black Desert course, sitting at around 3,000 feet, presents additional challenges for the pros. Players like Patrick Fishburn and Zac Blair had to adjust their preparation strategies due to the unique characteristics of the course. Fishburn, a Utah native, highlighted the impact of playing at altitude, which can cause the ball to behave differently. Blair, who had never played Black Desert before, was impressed by the stunning scenery of the course and anticipated how it would look on TV during the tournament. Both players emphasized the importance of accuracy off the tee, given the presence of lava rocks throughout the layout.
Accuracy off the tee will be crucial this week at Black Desert, with the lava rocks posing a significant challenge for players. Blair mentioned that many players may opt to avoid using drivers, but his lack of distance may allow him to still utilize that club effectively. The lava rocks at Black Desert present a unique challenge, as hitting into them often results in lost balls rather than hazards that players can recover from. While the course offers plenty of room to play, it’s essential to keep the ball out of the rocks to avoid losing strokes.
One advantage for newer pros at the Black Desert Championship is that everyone will be playing the course under tournament conditions for the first time. This levels the playing field compared to traditional Tour courses where veterans have years of experience. Fishburn acknowledged the advantage this presents, especially for players like himself who have experience playing in Utah’s high altitude conditions. With the tournament set to kick off on Thursday morning, fans and players alike are eagerly anticipating their first look at the tournament-ready Black Desert course and how the pros will navigate its challenges.
