RBC Heritage 2026 First-Round Leader Tips: Dave Tindall's three to back up to 40/1

RBC Heritage weather forecast for Thursday

Wind is often a factor at Pete Dye's Harbour Town Golf Club Links although it's nothing out of the ordinary in round one. The forecast suggests 8mph in the morning before it could rise to 14mph late in the afternoon.

Temperatures are very pleasant and reach the early 70s and stay there by around 11am.

A low one is needed to take the lead. Justin Thomas opened with 61 last year, Cam Smith started out with a 62 in 2021 while in 2022, 2023 and 2024 a 63 led the way.

The 82-man field go out in two-balls from 07:05 to 14:10.

I wouldn't be too hung up on a weather bias so will pick freely.

First Round Leader Bet 1: Patrick Cantlay @ 30/131.00

Patrick Cantlay is the headline tip in my outright preview and I have to include him here at almost double the price.

As noted, the Californian has a remarkable course record with a second, four thirds and a seventh in his eight appearances at Harbour Town.

Honing in on his first round play, he's been in the top 10 after 18 holes five times since that first visit in 2017.

More recently, we saw good signs of Cantlay racking up the birdies during the middle two rounds of the US Masters.

He shot a 5-under lap in round two and went 6-under on day three, sprinkling 11 birdies and not a single bogey.

Seventh for Approach at Augusta National and 1st Around The Greens - the two best pointers for success here - Cantlay can thrive from his 13:05 tee-time. 

First Round Leader Bet 2: Brian Harman @ 40/141.00

Brian Harman never does much at the Masters although his 33rd place this time was his best finish in five years and included middle rounds of 69 and 67.

This place is far more up the left-hander's street as he can shape his shots and lean on a brilliant short game without fretting about lack of length.

Harman has four top 13 finishes in the last five editions here, a stretch that includes third in 2023 and fifth last year.

In terms of round one positions, he's been third, fifth and eighth in that time and thrown in plenty of low scores.

Also 11th at The Players Championship, the 2023 Open champion is playing nicely and there's every chance history repeats itself and he flourishes again at one of his favourite venues.

He tees off at 09:40. 

First Round Leader Bet 3: Justin Thomas @ 40/141.00

Justin Thomas is the defending champion this week and the extra attention he'll receive could be the perfect tonic as the two-time major winner looks to to shake off what is now his annual Masters disappointment.

JT was 36th at Augusta in 2025 before making the short trip here and securing his first win in just under three years.

Last week he was 41st at Augusta so his prep is very similar.

Thomas started okay at the Masters (17th after R1) while he was sixth through 18 holes at Sawgrass to remind us of his liking for Pete Dye tracks.

At this one, he went crazy on Thursday last year, shooting a 61 that gave him the first-round lead by three shots.

With finishes here of first, fifth, eighth and 11th along with low rounds of 61, 63 and 65, Thomas can hopefully shoot the lights out again from his 10:05 tee-time.

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