​AKRON, Ohio (AP) — Cameron Percy fired a 4-under 66 on a wet Friday at Firestone Country Club to grab a one-stroke edge at the Kaulig Companies Championship, the fourth of the PGA Tour Champions’ five major events. Percy, 52, has a 7-under 133 total and is still seeking his first victory on the senior circuit.
“I know you can’t fake it around here. You’ve got to hit it solid,” Percy said. “The par 3s are tough, and everything’s difficult. You’ve got to strike it well. You can’t just sling it all over the course and post a 68.”
First-round leader Jerry Kelly stood in a tie for second with Zach Johnson after both players posted 69 and 67, respectively, in the second round. Johnson, who carded a 67, has now posted two top-10s in his eight senior starts this season. He bypassed the U.S. Senior Open last week to compete in the PGA Tour’s John Deere Classic, where he finished tied for ninth.
“A few of these holes out here really make you think,” Johnson said. “It seems like the harder the hole, the more successfully I seem to execute. That’s encouraging.”
The 50-year-old Johnson already owns two championships this season on the senior circuit. He elected to skip the U.S. Senior Open last week in favor of playing at Deere, where he had a solid showing.
Kelly, who won this event in 2020 and again in 2022, remains in the hunt after a steady start. Boo Weekley was close behind at 5 under following a 67, saying, “I reckon I’m just a little more mature for this golf course now. I know, that’s kind of hard to believe for me to say that word. I can’t spell it, but I feel it.”
Akron native and 50-year-old Ryan Armour shot his second 68 of the week to reach 4 under, joining former champion Retief Goosen (67), Darren Clarke (70) and Tag Ridings (66) in the same group. The 59-year-old Schwab Cup leader Stewart Cink stood at 3 under after a 68, marking his 11 starts this season with four victories.
This year marks the final edition of the Kaulig Companies Championship to be staged at Firestone Country Club, ending a long-standing relationship with the PGA Tour that traces back to the Rubber City Open in 1954. The area’s storied golf history will see this event depart Firestone as the tour moves on in coming years.