By Jim Bebbington
Day 2 of the 2026 Inspirato Colorado Open found a host of young, new players charging up the leaderboard.
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The defending champion, Jim Knous, dropped out mid-round on Thursday after aggravating his back, and the winner two years ago – Davis Bryant – is now playing on the DP World Tour.
So after two days the top of the leaderboard is crowded with talented 20-somethings from around the country seeking to break through.
Jamie Wilson, 28, from South Carolina, shot a 63 on Friday to lead the way early at 11-under par. It is just his third Colorado Open – he missed the cut in 2024 and tied for 18th last year – but he has been playing professionally in state opens and mini-tour events since 2021.
Wilson rode a hot putter to his low round, keeping small mistakes from becoming big ones. His hole of the round, he said, was saving a bogey on the par 3 13th hole. He drove into the bunker short of the green, and skulled his bunker shot across the green into deep rough.
“I could have just accepted to make five, but I chopped it out, a nice shot, to about eight feet and made it to save the bogey,” he said. “So that was big momentum.”
Wilson has family in Longmont and said he has this tournament circled on his calendar and is hoping to stay out front this weekend.
“I think I just need to keep playing my golf, stay committed to each and every golf shot and each and every putt,” he said.
Carson Lundell, 28, of Alpine, Utah, has finished in the top six in each of the last three Inspirato Colorado Opens, and tied for third place last year. He goes into Saturday at 10-under par, a stroke behind Wilson, and confident after the first two days.
The former BYU player has been toiling on mini-tours and state opens, winning once on the Asher Tour in 2023.
“I played great yesterday, shot 7-under but felk like I left quite a bit out there, which is always you know a good sign,” he said.
He drove the green on the short par 4 No. 4 and sank the putt for an early eagle and stayed in contention all day.
“I’ve played well hear and for whatever reason this course fits my eye and I hope to continue this weekend,” he said.
Among the afternoon groups who played under 100-degree humidity, Blake Tomlinson of Salt Lake City joined the leaders after just his front nine. Tomlinson is 27 and played most of last year on the PGA Tour Americas.
University of Colorado alum Hunter Swanson, at 9-under, is just 22 and making a strong run in his first Colorado Open.
Among the grizzled veterans who are not going quietly into the night is Parker Edens, the annual threat to win the low-amateur title and in some years take the overall title. The former pro and Colorado State University graduate is head coach of South Dakota State University’s golf team is at 6-under and low amateur again going into the weekend.
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A host of new names crowd the top of the leaderboard after two days By Jim Bebbington Day 2 of the 2026 Inspirato Colorado Open found a host of young, new players charging up the leaderboard. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Colorado AvidGolfer (@coloradoavidgolfer) The defending champion, Jim Knous,
Day 1 of 2026 Inspirato Colorado Open sees teens doing well
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