Lee Hodges Leads at 2026 Charles Schwab Challenge Amidst Stiff Competition
A marathon day at Colonial Country Club concluded with a tightly contested leaderboard following the first round of the 2026 Charles Schwab Challenge. A significant weather delay extended play into near darkness, leaving Lee Hodges in the solo lead before a late bogey brought five other players into a tie. Hodges finished the day with a commendable 6-under 64, sharing the spotlight with J.J. Spaun, Matt McCarty, Ryan Gerard, Andrew Putnam, and Tom Kim, who is showing signs of a comeback after capturing his first top-10 finish of the season earlier this month. Kim noted, "Working on a few things, new swing coach... the confidence out there is getting a lot higher, too." The scoring conditions were favorable due to recent rains, with the average score hovering just below 69.00. Notable players like Gary Woodland and Ludvig Åberg also made their mark, with Åberg finishing at 4 under after switching to a new putter, showing improved performance on the greens. Leaders after Round 1: T1. Lee Hodges, Ryan Gerard, Tom Kim, Andrew Putnam, J.J. Spaun, Matt McCarty (-6) Other Contenders: T7. Alex Smalley, Ricky Castillo, Keegan Bradley, and others (-5) Justin Thomas started poorly with two bogeys but recovered for a 69, while Rickie Fowler struggled with a 70. Hodges’ round included impressive putting, making over 100 feet worth of putts, and he found himself in a much-needed strong position, aiming for a top-10 finish after a challenging season. Odds via FanDuel Sportsbook: J.J. Spaun: 15/2 Ludvig Åberg: 17/2 Others: Russell Henley, Alex Smalley, and more at 15-1. As the tournament progresses, players will look to capitalize on their strong starts and navigate the challenges of Colonial.
Source: CBS Sports - 2026-05-29