​AKRON, Ohio — By definition, every player on the PGA Tour Champions carries a wealth of experience. What Jerry Kelly has that some of his peers may not is the depth of success at Firestone Country Club. He seized that advantage with a strong start Thursday, July 9, at the Kaulig Companies Championship, posting a 5-under 65 to grab a one-shot lead after the opening round.
Kelly is no stranger to Firestone’s layout, having claimed this tournament in both 2020 and 2022. He described the Firestone round as simply solid and said the course’s tree-lined corridors suit his game well. “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 commented, reflecting on how the familiar landscape plays into his comfort level and performance.
As the event continues, Kelly hinted that this might not be the last professional stop at Firestone that could be meaningful to him. He noted his own history of winning final events and suggested there might be room to continue the relationship with the course if a suitable arrangement could be reached. “If you ask the guys on tour which golf course they miss, everyone is going to answer ‘Firestone,’” he said, underscoring Firestone’s place in the memories of many players.
Another notable first-round performance came from Northern Ireland’s Darren Clarke, who birdied his final hole to card a 4-under 66 and sit just one stroke behind Kelly. Clarke praised the satisfaction of closing with a birdie, even when the ball finds the rough on Firestone’s tough finishing holes. “It’s always nice to finish with a birdie, especially from that right-hand rough. Any day you should be under par at Firestone is a good day. I’ve got to keep swinging it the way I am and give myself more chances,” Clarke said.
Canada’s Mike Weir also signed for a 4-under 66, expressing relief at finally stringing together a strong round. “I hit a lot of great shots today. This is a demanding course, so you’re going to have to get some up-and-downs. I haven’t been doing that well all season, so it feels good to put it together,” Weir remarked, acknowledging the difficulty of Firestone and the importance of capitalizing on good opportunities.
Rounding out the early stature of the leaderboard, Zach Johnson, Ernie Els, Cameron Percy, Y.E. Yang, and Soren Kjeldsen sit two strokes back at 3-under. The second round is scheduled to begin at 9 a.m. ET on Friday, July 10, with players hoping to chase Kelly and others who could push the race into the weekend.
This coverage comes from the Kaulig Companies Championship at Firestone Country Club, where the 2026 event is already producing compelling stories and reminding fans why this venue is so closely associated with elite former champions. The evolving narrative on day two will focus on how the course yields to different game plans and how the leaders respond as the field tightens.