Bank of Utah Championship First-Round Leader Tips: Dave Tindall's three to back up to 80/1

Bank of Utah Championship weather forecast for Thursday

It's a day for good scoring up in the altitude of Utah at Black Desert Resort.

There's hardly any wind all day while temperatures peak at 85-87 in late afternoon after starting at around 70 degrees for the early wave.

It's a two-tee start at 1 and 10 with the first groups hitting away at 07:35 local while the final three-balls go off at 14:09.

There's no draw bias although in the two years of this event so far, the lowest scores have tended to come from the morning wave. I'll pick two earlies and one late.

First Round Leader Bet 1: Matt McCarty @ 40/141.00

The Bank of Utah Championship holds a special place in Matt McCarty's heart after he won it in 2024 on just his third start on the PGA Tour.

Returning a year later to defend he again flourished and finished third.

His round scores on the par 71 include a 62, two 64s and a 65 and that nine-under 62 helped him post second place after 18 holes in the inaugural event two years ago.

McCarty has also shown an ability to find his mojo early by enjoying the first-round lead at both the Truist Championship and Charles Schwab Challenge earlier this year.

This is his first start for over a month but it's far from unusual to see a player burst out of the blocks after an absence.

The 28-year-old from Arizona tees off from the 10th at 08:19 local.

First Round Leader Bet 2: Jackson Suber @ 35/136.00

Jackson Suber was the FRL at the Open Championship at Royal Birkdale just five starts ago. That was thanks to a 65.

He opened with that same number at the Biltmore Championship Asheville on his latest start to sit third following the opening lap.

Suber's appeal grows when noting that he was fourth after day one on his debut here last year. Opening rounds of 66-67 put him third at halfway before he settled for 15th.

Widening it out, Suber is also fourth for R1 Scoring in 2026 (68.74) so there's plenty to suggest he can rack up the birdies from his 07:57 tee-time (10th).

First Round Leader Bet 3: Lucas Glover @ 80/181.00

Lucas Glover shot a 62 at Black Desert Resort last year, that excellent closing round helping him to third place.

The veteran doesn't always need four laps to get going though.

In July, he produced back-to-back first-round leads at both the John Deere Classic and the ISCO Championship, that pair of 63s helping him to finishes of third and fifth respectively.

He looked a little rusty at the Biltmore after failing to make the playoffs but a closing 66 there was a positive note to finish on.

Glover ranked 1st for SG: Tee To Green at both the John Deere and the ISCO so he's clearly in good shape.

He's my afternoon starter at 13:14 local, also from the 10th.

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