Kaulig Companies Championship Second Round Underway as Jerry Kelly Protects Slim Lead at Firestone
Jerry Kelly walked off the 18th green Thursday with a 5-under 65 and a one-shot lead in the Kaulig Companies Championship. Friday morning the second round began at Firestone Country Club in Akron, Ohio, and the veteran from Wisconsin carried that advantage straight into the day.
The Kaulig Companies Championship second round teed off after a short weather delay, with early groups already making their way around the South Course. Kelly’s steady play Thursday set the tone, but the field behind him includes major winners and past champions who know exactly how to pounce when the leader shows any sign of slipping.
Round One Recap: Kelly Takes Control
Kelly posted six birdies against one bogey on a course that demands precision more than raw power. He leads by one over Darren Clarke and Mike Weir, both at 66. A group at 67 includes Ernie Els, Zach Johnson, Cameron Percy, Søren Kjeldsen and Y.E. Yang.
Firestone’s Final Act in Akron
This week carries extra weight. The 2026 Kaulig Companies Championship marks the last time the event will be played at Firestone Country Club before it moves to Newport Beach, California, in 2027. Players and fans feel it. The historic clubhouse, the towering trees, the long walk up the 18th fairway — all of it feels like a farewell tour.
You could almost feel the extra emotion in the air as gates opened at 7:15 a.m. for round two. Spectators in team polos and sun visors moved quietly between holes, many of them realizing this might be their last chance to watch these legends compete on this particular stretch of Ohio ground.
What to Watch in the Second Round
Kelly’s plan remains simple: keep the ball in play and let the course come to him. He has won here before and knows where trouble lurks — especially on the long par-4s and the reachable but dangerous par-5s.
Behind him, the chasers bring serious resumes. Ernie Els still owns one of the purest swings in the game and can go low in a hurry. Zach Johnson brings major-championship grit and local Ohio ties that always seem to lift his game. Darren Clarke and Mike Weir have both lifted major trophies and understand how to grind out rounds on venues like this.
Early groups reported good scoring conditions after the brief delay, with soft morning light and manageable wind. Afternoon play could see the course firm up and the wind shift, which usually favors the players who keep their emotions in check and their ball-striking consistent.
Off the Course: Concert Night and Lasting Memories
Once the final putt drops Friday evening, the grounds will shift from competition to celebration. Country artist Bailey Zimmerman headlines a concert that turns the Kaulig Infinity Zone into the center of the party. For many fans, it is the perfect way to cap a day spent watching the best players over 50 compete on one of golf’s great stages.
John Daly serves as this year’s Ambassador of Golf honoree, adding another layer of star power and personality to an already memorable week.
Looking Ahead
Thirty-six holes remain after Friday. The cut will fall sometime Saturday, and the final round Sunday will decide who lifts the trophy in Firestone’s final Akron edition. Kelly holds the early edge, but this field does not hand out leads easily.
The second round of the Kaulig Companies Championship is delivering exactly what fans expect from a PGA Tour Champions major — great shots, steady nerves, and the unmistakable feeling that history is being written on a course that has seen more than its share of it.
Updates will continue throughout the day and into the evening as the field completes 36 holes and sets the stage for the weekend.
