Sony Open 2026 First-Round Leader Tips: Dave Tindall's three to back up to 60/1

• 55/156.00 Haotong Li was a fast starter here on his previous visit

• 60/161.00 Michael Kim has been shooting a series of low Thursday scores

• 55/156.00 Keith Mitchell is the king of fast starts

Weather forecast for Thursday

There could a slight opening for FRL punters this week as it seems the wind is set to pick up as the day goes on.

It's not too dramatic but the early starters will feel modest 7mph winds before it rises towards a trouser-leg flapping 20mph in the afternoon.

That fits in with historical trends. Of the last 14 players to have had a piece of the first-round lead at Waialae, nine went off in the morning.

Temperatures are fairly constant throughout the golfing day at around 70-75 degrees.

It looks like the early wave have the best conditions so I'll pick three players with morning tee-times.

FRL Bet 1: Haotong Li @ 55/156.00

I've gone for Haotong Li in my outright preview and will also play him in this market.

Li has had a piece of the first-round lead in four of his last 20 worldwide starts and, zooming in, it's actually three in 13 - July's Open Championship, August's British Masters and August's Genesis Championship.

He was also fifth after round one in his last start at the Nedbank in December where he finished 10th.

Li hasn't played here since 2022 but there's good news there too as on that visit, his second to Waialae, the man from China was fourth after 18 holes via an opening 63.

The 55/156.00 shot tees off at 08:27 from the 1st.

FRL Bet 2: Michael Kim @ 60/161.00

Michael Kim has a rather spotty record at Waialae but, dig a little, and it's better than on first glance.

He's fired in the 60s in five of his last six rounds here and his latest lap at the picturesque Honolulu venue saw the American sign for a 65.

Kim's main appeal though is how well he's been starting tournaments in recent times.

He was first-round leader at November's DP World Tour Championship in Dubai thanks to a 64 and has ended day one in the top seven in each of his last three starts and in four of the last seven. During that run of tournaments, Kim won the Open de France.

The Dallas-based pro had some great results on Bermuda greens early last year (second, fourth and sixth on the Florida Swing) and can hopefully burst out of the blocks when he heads out in the first group of the day from the 1st tee at 07:10.

FRL Bet 3: Keith Mitchell @ 55/156.00

A scan of those early-times has one name flashing brightly for those who like a regular first-round leader punt.

Keith Mitchell was the king of fast starts last year, enjoying one incredible spell where his 18-hole positions were 1st, 1st, 2nd, 2nd, 28th, 1st. The latter was achieved with a scintillating 61 at the Truist Championship.

He cooled off towards the end of the year but the man with the visor sprinkled some more early magic with a 64 on day one of the RSM Classic in November.

His record at Waialae shows six top 30s in eight visits and a delve into his round scores reveals a 62 and three 63s. He can certainly go low here.

He's yet to post a super-low number on day one but law of averages and all that suggests that another Thursday scorcher is very possible.

Mitchell, whose headwear reminds us of a Las Vegas croupier, can hopefully land the gamble at 55/156.00. He starts at 07:10 from the 10th.