IVINS, Utah — Austin Cook had a good start to his week by avoiding a qualifier and took advantage with six birdies Thursday that allowed him to share the lead before darkness halted a slow round at Black Desert in the Bank of Utah Championship.

Thorbjorn Olesen, Jesper Svensson and David Lipsky each posted a 6-under 65 on the unique course lined by red dirt and black lava rock.

Cook also was at 6 under and facing a 20-foot birdie putt on the reachable par-4 14th when it was too dark to continue. The afternoon tee times had been pushed back by 15 minutes. The 38 players who did not finish were to resume at 8 a.m. local time.

Cook had few complaints. A one-time winner on the PGA Tour, this is only his eighth start of the year. He was well down the alternate list and at the beach with his

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