Benson is eight months removed from a top-three finish in the 3A state championship, finishing just two shots back of teammate, individual state champion and Utah commit, Lance Loughton in October 2024 in Salt Lake City. Last month, Benson picked up his first-ever Utah State Amateur invite, winning the Glen Eagle qualifier by carding 7-under as the top dog.

On the surface, such accolades might seem uncanny for a 15-year-old rising sophomore fresh off his first season of high school golf. But Benson’s been competing in tournaments since he was 5 — and has been playing weekly rounds with his father, Skyler, a Weber State graduate and teacher at Morgan, and his grandfather, Cary, since he can remember.

But you won’t find Benson in Logan for the 127th annual state am later this month.

Instead, Benson is bound for the 2025 Junior World Golf Championships, teeing off Tuesday, July 8, in the 15-to-18 division at Torrey Pines Golf Course near San Diego. In June, Benson put together a qualifying round for his first-ever appearance at Junior World, where Lougton competed last summer.

CONNER BECKER, Standard-Examiner

Utah, Southern California, and wherever else Benson’s club might’ve taken him this summer, are home to several competitive tournaments far from the high school season. But such competition isn’t out of the realm of familiarity for Benson, having already made waves during the 2024 PGA Junior League circuit in September.

Such moments tie into Benson’s first year at Morgan, where the freshman strongly improved his putting en route to his first-ever state tournament ticket last fall. Benson tied Richfield’s Pace Mullen for third individually at 2-under.

“I thought it was a little scary going into it, but I think it’s going to be much better going forward,” Benson said. “We’ve all been around the same level and we’re always together at practices. It’s definitely fun just playing with your friends and having challenges with each other.”

Benson rounded out a stellar 2024 Trojans squad, including Loughton and state qualifiers Caleb Rees, tying for seventh individually at state, and Korver Toone, tying for 27th.

Last month’s state am qualifier saw Benson further his boundaries, taking on 18-and-older opponents vying for a seat at the table in Logan later this month. Opting for Junior World instead, alternate Joshua Savage of Lindon is set to compete in Benson’s place at the state am, according to Fairways Magazine contributor Kurt Kragthorpe.

It’ll be Benson’s first trip to Torrey Pines, but it won’t be his first time playing along the coast. Benson is familiar with the changes in sea level and what it means for his swing.

“The ball doesn’t travel as far and it’s a little different that way,” Benson said. “I’ll be one of the younger ones there since it’s a 15 to 18 division, so it’ll be a little different. There are people (who’re) committed to college and are good, so it’ll be plenty intimidating.”

While the field is tough, Benson comes in with some veracity of his own.

Few golfers can likely say they’ve played a handful of rounds with six-time PGA Tour winner, and Utah native, Tony Finau, heading into the tournament. Benson befriended Finau’s son, Jraice, while paired during a Junior League tournament.

Benson enters Junior World as a two-time national finalist for the Drive, Chip and Putt Championship, which is a nationwide junior skills competition in conjunction with the USGA and the Masters Tournament in Augusta, Georgia.

Live results from the 2025 Junior World Championships can be found online at www.juniorworldgolf.com. Practice rounds are slated for Monday, July 7; the 15-to-18 boys division tees off Tuesday, July 8, at 6:30 a.m.

Connect with reporter Conner Becker via email at cbecker@standard.net and X @ctbecker.