Ben James tied for fifth at the Bank of Utah Championship on Sunday, Oct. 4, continuing a strong run for the former No. 1 player in the Ponte Vedra Beach-based PGA Tour University program.

The 23-year-old, who earned his PGA Tour card after finishing atop the PGA Tour University Class of 2026 rankings, shot a final-round 4-under 67 at Black Desert Resort in Ivins, Utah.

James finished at 22-under, four shots behind winner Austin Smotherman. It was his fourth top-five finish in six starts and his third consecutive top-five, according to the PGA Tour.

PGA Tour University is administered by the PGA Tour, which is headquartered in Ponte Vedra Beach.

James continues strong run

James turned professional in June after a standout collegiate career at the University of Virginia.

He has missed just one cut in 10 PGA Tour starts this season and has six top-25 finishes, including a tie for 23rd at the U.S. Open.

James entered Sunday's final round in contention for his first PGA Tour victory after shooting a 7-under 64 Saturday.

He made four birdies without a bogey in the final round but was unable to close the gap on Smotherman. James finished tied for fifth with PGA Tour veteran Kevin Streelman.

James earned $231,750 for the week and moved to No. 59 in the FedExCup Fall standings.

He plans to skip the Baycurrent Classic in Japan before returning to play the remaining events on the fall schedule.

Smotherman wins in 100th PGA Tour start

Smotherman earned his first PGA Tour victory in his 100th career start, closing with a 3-under 68 to finish at a tournament-record 26-under 258.

He finished two shots ahead of Doug Ghim, who shot a final-round 69 and ended the tournament at 24-under.

Smotherman recovered after a double bogey on the par-4 13th cut his lead to one shot. He drove the green at the 306-yard, par-4 14th and made birdie before adding another birdie at No. 16.

The victory earned Smotherman $1.08 million from the $6 million purse, a two-year PGA Tour exemption and 500 FedExCup points.

He also moved from No. 79 to No. 51 in the FedExCup Fall standings.

Ghim's runner-up finish moved him from No. 89 to No. 58.