The final regular-season PGA Tour tournament takes place this week as Sedgefield Country Club plays host to the Wyndham Championship.
The tournament has been a staple on the tour since 1938, previously being called the Greater Greensboro Open, Chrysler Classic of Greensboro and now the Wyndham Championship.
Sedgefield Country Club has hosted the event since 2008, having alternated with Starmount Forest during the early days of the tournament, while Forest Oaks played host between 1977 and 2007.
There are plenty of players fighting to make the FedEx Cup play-offs this week as only the top 70 in the standings will qualify for the FedEx St. Jude Championship next week.
The likes of Keegan Bradley, Jason Day, Brooks Koepka and Tony Finau are currently outside that top 70, indicating that they will require a big week to reach the playoffs.
Jackson Koivun, who won his first PGA Tour title at the 3M Open recently, is 70th in the standings and he will need another solid week to maintain that all-important position.
Cameron Young Is the favourite to lead the way after the opening round, but there are plenty of other names who will look to make an impression on Thursday.
Wyndham Championship First-Round Leader Tips Summary
Best Bet - Jackson Koivun each-way @ 30/1
Alternative Bet - Alex Fitzpatrick each-way @ 45/1
Alternative Bet - Michael Kim @ 60/1
Wyndham Classic First Round Leader Prediction
Best Bet: Jackson Koivun each-way @ 30/1
What better way to follow up your first PGA Tour title than by winning a second just a couple of weeks later?
Koivun looks set to be the new superstar of the golfing world and his breakthrough this early on will have the young American desperate for more glory.
At the ISCO Championship a few weeks ago he opened with a 67 on Thursday that had him four shots off the lead, before shooting an impressive 64 in the first round of the 3M Open that saw him sit second heading into Friday.
A strong display here at Sedgefield Country Club will confirm his place in the playoffs and the youngster is no stranger to starting off well at this level.
At this tournament last year Koivun finished in a tie for fifth and this course knowledge could stand him in good stead.
Alternative Bet: Alex Fitzpatrick each-way @ 45/1
Alex Fitzpatrick has enjoyed a stellar few months on the PGA Tour since breaking through by winning the Zurich Classic of New Orleans alongside brother Matt.
Since then, he has secured another four top-10s while missing a solitary cut. Those displays have him sitting 19th in the FedEx Cup standings, meaning there is no pressure on him this week and he can go out and play without fear of missing out on the playoffs.
The Englishman was tied fourth after the opening round of the Truist Championship and, having taken the last few weeks off, he will be fresh heading into this tournament.
Furthermore, Fitzpatrick ranks fifth on tour in Strokes Gained: Tee to Green and, if he can get his putter firing on Thursday, it could see him leading after the first round.
Alternative Bet: Michael Kim each-way @ 60/1
Michael Kim has been impressive in recent weeks, finishing T10 at the 3M Open, before sealing a T8 finish at the Rocket Classic last week.
He made headlines at the former during his second round, shooting an incredible round of 59, only the 16th round below 60 in the history of the PGA Tour.
While Kim couldn't quite get his putter going on Saturday and Sunday, that 59 was a glimpse into what he can produce when everything clicks.
He sits 59th in the FedEx Cup standings and, while his position isn't under serious jeopardy, he will still require a solid display at Sedgefield this week to confirm his place in the playoffs.
As such, he offers value to lead after the first round on Thursday.
Key Tournament Stats
Sedgefield Country Club has hosted the tournament exclusively since 2008
Cameron Young won this event last year
Joel Dahmen opened up with a first round 61 last year
Beau Hossler shot an opening round 60 at the 2024 edition
The last player to win after holding the first-round lead was Brandt Snedeker in 2019, who shot an opening 59
Read more golf betting tips and predictions on site.
This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.
