50-year-old Bo Van Pelt leads the field by two strokes after opening with 9-under 62 at the 2026 Cologuard Classic in Tucson, Arizona.

Bo Van Pelt, 62 (-9)

• Makes his debut at the 2026 Cologuard Classic (15th career start), carding a career-low 18 with 9-under 62.
  • Previous PGA TOUR Champions low: 65 (2025 Sanford International, Rd. 2)
  • Best first-round score: 4-under 66 at 2025 Sanford International (finished second)
• Holds the first 18-hole lead/co-lead of his Champions Tour career; held at least a share of the 18-hole lead nine times during his PGA TOUR career, failing to convert any of those to victory (runner-up, three times).
  • Woody Austin (2016) and Miguel Ángel Jiménez (2022) are the only first-round leaders/co-leaders to win the Cologuard Classic in tournament history.
• Made four career starts at the TOUR’s Chrysler Classic of Tucson, posting a career-best T9 in his final appearance in 2006.
• Seeks to become the 25th player to win on the PGA TOUR, PGA TOUR Champions and Korn Ferry Tour.
  • Wins by Tour: PGA TOUR (1 win), Korn Ferry Tour (1 win)
    • PGA TOUR: 2009 U.S. Bank Championship in Milwaukee
    • Korn Ferry Tour: 2003 Omaha Classic (previous Web.com Tour)
  • Most recent to accomplish this feat: Zach Johnson (2026 James Hardie Pro Football Hall of Fame Invitational)

Other notes

• Making his season and tournament debut, Thongchai Jaidee posts 7-under 64 (T2).
  • Owns two career victories on Tour: 2022 American Family Insurance Championship, 2023 PURE Insurance Championship
• World Golf Hall of Fame member Retief Goosen (64/T2) seeks his fifth PGA TOUR Champions victory in his seventh Cologuard Classic appearance, finishing the first round with a tournament-career-best 7-under 64.
• 68-year-old Bernhard Langer (T4) cards 6-under 65 to shoot his age or better for the 38th time on PGA TOUR Champions; World Golf Hall of Fame member won the 2020 Cologuard Classic; seeking the 48th win of his PGA TOUR Champions career and first since the 2024 Charles Schwab Cup Championship; notched at least one victory in 18 consecutive years (17 consecutive seasons) through 2024, but failed to win in 2025, recording six top-10 finishes including a T2 at the Mitsubishi Electric Championship at Hualalai.
• Three-time PGA TOUR Winner Vaughn Taylor (70/T34) makes his first start on PGA TOUR Champions after turning 50 on March 9, 2026.
  • TOUR wins: AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am (2016), Barracuda Championship (2004-05)
• Defending champion Steven Alker posts even-par 71 to sit T45; seeks to become the first champion in tournament history to successfully defend his title.
• Tournament host and 13-time Champions Tour winner Jerry Kelly cards 2-under 69 (T25).
• Highest temperatures in Cologuard Classic history, reaching afternoon highs up to 102.
  • Previous record: High of 82 (Rd. 2, 2019)