Full Breakdown
Cameron Percy Takes Lead at Senior Major as Firestone Bids Farewell
7/11/2026, 5:54:41 AM
Event Overview
On Friday at Firestone Country Club in Akron, Ohio, 52-year-old Australian Cameron Percy posted a 4-under 66 to move one stroke ahead in the Kaulig Companies Championship, the fourth of five major tournaments on the PGA Tour Champions. Percy’s total of 7-under 133 places him atop a field that includes former PGA Tour winners and current senior contenders. The tournament will be held at Firestone for the final time, concluding a PGA Tour relationship that began with the Rubber City Open in 1954.
Field Snapshot
First-round leader Jerry Kelly (59) tied with Zach Johnson (50) for second, each shooting 69 and 67 respectively. Boo Weekley posted a 5-under 67, while Akron native Ryan Armour recorded a second 68, joining 2019 champion Retief Goosen (67), Darren Clarke (70) and Tag Ridings (66) at four under. Charles Schwab Cup leader Stewart Cink was three-under after a 68. Fellow Australians Stuart Appleby and Greg Chalmers were tied 26th at one-over, and Rod Pampling sat one stroke behind them.
Percy’s Strategy
Percy and his caddie have calculated that a 12-under total is typically sufficient for victory. After his 66-stroke round, Percy is five strokes short of that target and intends to maintain a three-under-a-day pace for the remainder of the tournament.
Significance
The lead gives Percy, who is still winless on the senior circuit, a realistic chance at his first senior tour title. The event also marks the end of an era for Firestone, a venue that has hosted PGA Tour events for seven decades.
Verbatim Quotes
- “You can't fake it around here. You've got to hit it solid,” — Cameron Percy, player
- “The par-3s are hard; everything's hard. You have to hit it really good. You can't just slap it everywhere and shoot a 68.” — Cameron Percy, player
- “Seems like the harder the hole, the more difficulty I seem to execute even better. That was encouraging.” — Zach Johnson, player
- “I know, that's kind of hard to believe for me to say that word. I can't spell it.” — Boo Weekley, player
