​AKRON, Ohio (AP) — Zach Johnson surged into a four-stroke lead in the Kaulig Companies Championship on a rain-softened Saturday at Firestone Country Club, posting a 7-under 63 to sit atop the leaderboard in the PGA Tour Champions’ fourth of five major events. “It was for the taking today,” Johnson said. “It was wet. It was basically point and shoot and stop.”
The 50-year-old Johnson has claimed two victories in eight senior starts this season. He passed on last week’s U.S. Senior Open to compete in the PGA Tour’s John Deere Classic, where he finished tied for ninth. Under cloudy skies with a forecast high near 83, Johnson hit the front nine in 5-under 30 and added two birdies on the back nine, finishing the day at 13-under 197 after opening with consecutive 67s. “The front nine was as solid a nine holes as I’ve played in I couldn’t tell you how long,” he said.
Defending champion Miguel Angel Jimenez was in second after a 62, becoming the oldest player to shoot his age in a competitive round. “Every time you can shoot your age is great,” Jimenez commented. Cameron Percy, who led after three rounds, fell to third at 7 under after carding a 70. Darren Clarke and Tag Ridings were both at 6 under following respective 68s.
Johnson’s recent success includes taking the James Hardie Pro Football Hall of Fame Invitational in his first senior start and winning the Principal Charity Classic in his native Iowa in his most recent appearance. He has amassed 12 PGA Tour titles, including major championships at the 2007 Masters and the 2015 Open Championship. “I played 54 good ones, I’ve got 18 more to go and I’ve got to play well,” Johnson said. “You never know what could happen tomorrow depending on the conditions, wind or lack thereof.”
Charles Schwab Cup leader Stewart Cink was tied for sixth at 5 under after a 68, adding to his four victories in 11 starts this season. Bernhard Langer, at age 68 and a three-time tournament winner, shot his age or better for the 45th time with a 67, leaving him tied for 14th at 3 under. This year marks the final edition of the event at Firestone Country Club, concluding a long-standing PGA Tour relationship that began with the Rubber City Open in 1954.