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AKRON, Ohio — By definition, everyone on the PGA Tour Champions can be classified as “experienced.” What Jerry Kelly has that some don’t is experience winning a Firestone Country Club. He put that experience to good use Thursday, July 9.
Kelly shot a 5-under round of 65 to take a one-shot lead after the first round of the Kaulig Companies Championship.
Having won this tournament in 2020 and 2022, Kelly said Firestone was a perfect set up for him.
“It was just a solid Firestone round,” Kelly said. “I just like keeping it between the trees and on the green. I love a tree-lined golf course. It’s what I grew up on in Wisconsin.”
Kelly also said he hopes this will not be the final professional tournament at Firestone.
“I’ve won a couple of other final events,” Kelly said. “I’m hoping they can work something out. If you ask the guys on tour which golf course they miss, everyone is going to answer “Firestone.’”
Northern Ireland’s Darren Clarke birded his final hole to finish a 4-under round of 66 and sit one stroke behind Kelly.
“Its always nice to finish with a birdie, especially from that right-hand rough,” Clarke said. “Any day you should under par at Firestone is a good day. I’ve got to keep swinging it the way I am and give myself more chances.”
Canada’s Mike Weir also finished with a 4-under 66. He expressed relief at finally putting his game together.
“I hit a lot of great shots today,” Weir said. “This is a demanding course, so you’re going to have to get some shots up and down. I haven’t been doing that well all season, so it feels good to put it together.”
Zach Johnson, Ernie Els, Cameron Percy, Y.E. Yang and Soren Kjeldsen all sit two shots back at 3 under.
Round two will begin at 9 a.m. ET on Friday, July 10..
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Jerry Kelly holds Day 1 lead at 2026 Kaulig Companies Championship
Continue reading...
Kelly shot a 5-under round of 65 to take a one-shot lead after the first round of the Kaulig Companies Championship.
Having won this tournament in 2020 and 2022, Kelly said Firestone was a perfect set up for him.
“It was just a solid Firestone round,” Kelly said. “I just like keeping it between the trees and on the green. I love a tree-lined golf course. It’s what I grew up on in Wisconsin.”
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Kelly also said he hopes this will not be the final professional tournament at Firestone.
“I’ve won a couple of other final events,” Kelly said. “I’m hoping they can work something out. If you ask the guys on tour which golf course they miss, everyone is going to answer “Firestone.’”
Northern Ireland’s Darren Clarke birded his final hole to finish a 4-under round of 66 and sit one stroke behind Kelly.
“Its always nice to finish with a birdie, especially from that right-hand rough,” Clarke said. “Any day you should under par at Firestone is a good day. I’ve got to keep swinging it the way I am and give myself more chances.”
Canada’s Mike Weir also finished with a 4-under 66. He expressed relief at finally putting his game together.
“I hit a lot of great shots today,” Weir said. “This is a demanding course, so you’re going to have to get some shots up and down. I haven’t been doing that well all season, so it feels good to put it together.”
Zach Johnson, Ernie Els, Cameron Percy, Y.E. Yang and Soren Kjeldsen all sit two shots back at 3 under.
Round two will begin at 9 a.m. ET on Friday, July 10..
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Jerry Kelly holds Day 1 lead at 2026 Kaulig Companies Championship
Continue reading...
