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

Truist Championship weather forecast for Thursday

It's set to be a wet day for the opener. Downpours will soak the course through Wednesday night and the rain may take a while to clear on Thursday before likely appearing again later in the morning and afternoon.

Some sunshine may poke through as temperatures try to reach 70 after lunch but, overall, it's the worst of the four days.

Tee-times (36 two-balls) are scheduled from 07:45 to 14:00, although things could obviously change if storms arrive.

Therefore, it's hard to say when is the best slot to tee off. It's all up in the air.

First Round Leader Bet 1: Ryan Fox @ 55/156.00

Ryan Fox, a tough as teak Kiwi, will be more than used to grotty weather so makes appeal from a climate point of view.

But his credentials extend much wider than that.

Fox was the first-round leader in December's Australian Open and on the PGA Tour this season he's been in the top six after 18 holes in three of his last six starts.

The latest was at the RBC Heritage where Fox set out with a 65.

Also to be noted is his strong opening round when Quail Hollow hosted last year's US PGA. Fox carded a 67 and was fourth after day one.

The New Zealander, who tees off at 12:55, is worth a go at 55/156.00.

First Round Leader Bet 2: Gary Woodland @ 40/141.00

A long golf course, made even longer due to the downpours, is even more reason to side with a big hitter.

Fox is 19th for Driving Distance on the PGA Tour this season but scroll up and you'll find Gary Woodland ranked tied-second.

Woodland scored a brilliant win at March's Houston Open, closed with a 66 at the US Masters, was eighth at the RBC Heritage and fifth at halfway in last week's Cadillac so he's on a bit of a roll.

Strong starts are definitely part of that and in those last four events he's had FRL positions of 2-10-4-6.

At Quail Hollow he's twice ended day one in the top four so plenty of roads lead us Woodland's way.

He begins his bid at 09:40.

First Round Leader Bet 3: Aldrich Potgieter @ 60/161.00

Sticking with the theme, why not head to the longest driver of them all.

Aldrich Potgieter leads the DD charts with an average blast off the tee of 326.7 yards.

I nearly went for him in my outright preview after noting he had form on two courses that correlate well with this one - Torrey Pines and Riviera. Both are long major championship tests.

The South African was fourth after day one and third through 54 holes at Torrey Pines in the 2025 Farmers while he sat seventh following the opening lap at Riviera this year before eventually posting a top five.

In his last two starts, Potgieter has had FRL positions of 15th at the RBC Heritage and ninth at last week's Cadillac Championship.

I ultimately couldn't see him winning over 72 holes but there's no reason why the 08:25 starter can't bludgeon his way to the first-round lead.

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