​Round 2 of the Kaulig Companies Championship promises another scorching afternoon of golf at Firestone Country Club, where the South Course has yet to bite down on the field despite players carving up low scores on Day 1. Competition is scheduled to begin at 8 a.m. on Friday, July 10, with excitement expected to build as the rounds unfold on the storied layout in Akron, Ohio.
Heading into the second round, Jerry Kelly of Madison, Wisconsin, sits atop the leaderboard by a single shot after an attacking round of 65, a five-under-par effort, on opening day, July 9. Just one stroke behind Kelly, Canada’s Mike Weir and Northern Ireland’s Darren Clarke share a tie for second place, each having carded rounds of four-under 66. A few prominent as well as seasoned veterans sit a bit further back but remain within striking distance, with Ernie Els, Y.E. Yang, Zach Johnson, and Søren Kjeldsen all three-under par after the first round.
Weir’s standout finish on the 18th green—where he playfully tossed grass to his caddie—captured the moment from Round 1 of the Kaulig Companies PGA Championship, held July 9, 2026, at Firestone Country Club. The field is rich with past champions and notable names: Miguel Ángel Jiménez returns as the defending champion after a dominant 2025 campaign that saw him finish at ten under and prevail over Steve Alker in a playoff. The list of former champions in the field also includes Ernie Els, who captured the 2024 title; and past winners Steve Stricker (2023 and 2021), Jerry Kelly (2022 and 2020), Retief Goosen (2018), and Vijay Singh (2017).
This year’s purse stands at $3.5 million, with $525,000 reserved for the winner, underscoring the competition’s significance and the level of play expected on day two. The schedule for Day 1 set the pace, with tee times beginning at 9:20 a.m. from holes No. 1 and No. 10, featuring three-ball groups from each starting point. The final groups were slated to tee off at 11:26 a.m., a format designed to showcase the drama of the early rounds while ensuring fans could follow the shifting leaderboard as the day progressed.
As the players prepare for Round 2, the anticipation surrounds not only whether Kelly can maintain his lead but also how the rest of the field will respond to Firestone’s demanding test on a hotter day. The South Course’s resilience will be put to the test as players navigate the tricky greens, firm fairways, and the strategic demands that define this championship. With Miguel Ángel Jiménez aiming to defend his crown and a robust lineup of past champions in the mix, the stage is set for a compelling continuation of the Kaulig Companies Championship at Firestone. For live updates and scores from Firestone Country Club, readers can follow the ongoing coverage and commentary as Round 2 unfolds.