Liechty wins 2026 Mountainland Valley View Open

LAYTON, Utah — BYU men’s golfer David Liechty shot 15-under over 36 holes to win the 2026 Mountainland Valley View Open at Valley View Golf Course in record-breaking fashion on Saturday.

Liechty posted rounds of 64-65–129 to break the previous tournament record of 132, set by Steve Schneiter in 2017 and Spencer Wallace in 2019. He also became the first player in tournament history to win both the Valley View Amateur and the Mountainland Valley View Open in the same season. Liechty previously won the Valley View Amateur in May with a 6-under 66.

“Winning is hard to do in any sport, and it always feels great when you get one done,” Liechty said. “I’m really proud of how consistently I played.”

Liechty fired a tournament-low 64 in the first round, making eight birdies without a bogey. After a birdie on No. 2, the Layton native made five consecutive birdies on Nos. 7 through 11. Birdies on Nos. 14 and 17 capped an 8-under 64.

The rising sophomore opened the second round with back-to-back birdies on Nos. 1 and 2. The incoming BYU transfer added birdies on Nos. 4, 6 and 8 before the turn. He made two more birdies on Nos. 11 and 17 to finish with a 7-under 65.

Liechty grew up three minutes from Valley View Golf Course and attributed part of his success to his familiarity with it.

“There’s definitely a home course advantage,” Liechty said. "I know a lot more about where I can miss and put myself, especially around the greens. Leaving yourself in the correct spot is important.”

Incoming freshmen Lincoln Markham and Austin Shelley also competed, each shooting 3-under 141 with rounds of 70 and 71 to tie for 22nd.

Markham made four birdies and two bogeys to card a 2-under 70 in the first round. He recorded four birdies before the turn in the second round, but a bogey and a double bogey on the back nine left him with a 1-under 71.

Shelley recorded six birdies and four bogeys for a 2-under 70 in the first round. Five birdies, two bogeys and a double bogey in the second round gave him a 1-under 71.

Former Cougar Kelton Hirsch carded a 2-under 142 with rounds of 69 and 73, highlighted by an eagle on No. 9 in the opening round. BYU alumnus Joseph Summerhays, the 2018 Mountainland Valley View Open champion, shot a 3-over 147 with rounds of 75 and 72 to tie for 51st.

Former BYU women’s golf coach, Sue Nyhus, competed in the women’s professional division of the tournament, shooting a 14-over 158 with rounds of 81 and 77 to finish fifth.