​AKRON, Ohio — Zach Johnson captured his first PGA Tour Champions major in dramatic fashion at Firestone Country Club, closing with a 2-under 68 to secure a six-shot victory Sunday in the Kaulig Companies Championship. He had surged to a four-shot lead after posting a 63 in the third round, and despite two bogeys in his opening four holes on the final day, no one was able to mount a sustained challenge. Johnson sealed the win with a 20-foot chip-in on his final hole, illustrating his sharp short game when it mattered most.
This victory marked Johnson’s third win during his rookie season on the 50-and-older circuit, strengthening his position in the Charles Schwab Cup standings and closing the gap on leader Stewart Cink. The triumph also earns Johnson eligibility for next year’s Players Championship, adding another highlight to a campaign that has elevated his status within the senior circuit. Johnson finished the week at 15-under 265.
Behind him, Boo Weekley closed with a 66 to finish alone in second at 9-under 271. Slovakia’s Rory Sabbatini, the 2020 Tokyo Olympic silver medalist, also turned in a strong weekend with rounds of 66-66 to grab a share of third, while Cink ended up fourth after a closing 68.
Johnson’s best finish at Firestone previously came in 2017 when he was runner-up by five shots to Hideki Matsuyama in a World Golf Championships event. The WGC event later relocated to Memphis, Tennessee, in 2019 and became part of the PGA Tour Champions slate, underscoring the evolving landscape of tour stops on the senior circuit.
This year’s sponsor, Kaulig Companies, announced the sponsorship will end, and Firestone will bid farewell to tournament golf dates dating back to 1954 as the tour shifts to Newport Beach, California, next year for its fifth major. The stage is set for the 154th Open, with media day underway as anticipation builds for the Open Championship at Royal Birkdale in 2026. Golf Channel will provide live coverage and streaming throughout the week, ensuring fans can follow the action as the year’s final major unfolds.