AKRON, Ohio – Steve Stricker and Duffy Waldorf each shot 4-under-par 66 on Thursday to share the first-round lead of the Kaulig Companies Championship at Firestone Country Club’s South Course.
Stricker is the defending champion of the event, one of five major tournaments on the PGA Tour Champions circuit for pros age 50 and over. Stricker also won the Kaulig in 2021.
Stricker and Waldorf hold a 1-shot lead over Richard Green and Kenny Perry.
A group of five golfers is 2 shots back after the opening day on the 7,248-yard. par-70 track: Steven Alker, Steve Flesch, Tim O’Neal, Paul Stankowski and Angel Cabrera.
The second round is set for Friday, which will be Military Appreciation Day. All active duty, retired, reserve military members, first responders, and veterans, as well as one guest, will receive free admission if they register beforehand. Friday morning at 9:30, the national anthem will be played and a military member will hit a ceremonial first tee shot before competitors start their round.
The Golf Channel will air the second round Friday from 2 to 4:30 p.m., and the final two rounds on Saturday and Sunday from noon to 4 p.m.
The tournament has a prize pool $3.5 million, with the winner taking $525,000 and earning a spot in The Players Championship in 2025.