BANK OF UTAH CHAMPIONSHIP

October 1, 2026

Ben James

Black Desert Resort

Quick Quotes

Q. Solid opening round. What was working for you?

BEN JAMES: Yeah, had kind of a slow start, but I was kind of grinding, made a nice putt on, I think my seventh or eighth hole of the day, on 16. Made like a 50-footer and then chipped in on the 1st hole, my tenth hole.

Then the putter got hot and just played a nice round. Hit a lot of fairways and a lot of greens and putted pretty nicely. It was good to finish with a birdie today.

Q. You were saying in Asheville you were starting to get a little more comfortable. What's your comfort level at right now?

BEN JAMES: Yeah, I'm just playing golf. I had a great group today, my good buddies, so it was just like playing a game at home today, which was a little weird. But we had a great day, and I'm looking forward to tomorrow.

Q. Does Jackson, he's getting a lot of spotlight, does that motivate you a little? Competitively do you feel like you've got to keep up with him?

BEN JAMES: I'm just playing my game. He's a great buddy of mine, play with him a ton at home. It's great, we wish each other for sure. I'm just trying to focus on myself and do the best I can.

Q. Lastly, just this course, what are the keys? What did you think of it? It's beautiful.

BEN JAMES: It's really cool. It's kind of video game-like in a way, just kind of avoiding the lava and staying below the hole.