AKRON — Jerry Kelly shot a 5-under-par 65 to take a one-shot lead after the first round of the 2026 Kaulig Companies Championship at Firestone Country Club on July 9, 2026.

Darren Clarke and Mike Weir are tied for second place after carding rounds of 4-under 66. Zach Johnson, Ernie Els, Cameron Percy, Y.E. Yang, and Soren Kjeldsen are tied at 3-under par.

Kelly, who won the tournament in 2020 and 2022, described his performance. "It was just a solid Firestone round," Kelly said. "I love a tree-lined golf course. It's what I grew up on in Wisconsin." He added, "I just like keeping it between the trees and on the green." Regarding the event's future, Kelly said, "I'm hoping they can work something out." He noted, "If you ask the guys on tour which golf course they miss, everyone is going to answer 'Firestone.'"

The tournament field consists of 78 players competing for a purse of $3.5 million, with the winner receiving $525,000. Miguel Angel Jimenez is the defending champion, and Steven Alker was the runner-up in the previous year, losing in a playoff. Other players who have committed to participate include Retief Goosen, Colin Montgomerie, Vijay Singh, Bernhard Langer, Stewart Cink, and Zach Johnson. Steve Stricker won the tournament in 2021 and 2023, while Retief Goosen won in 2018 and Vijay Singh in 2017.

Matt Kaulig, executive chairman of Kaulig Companies Limited, commented on the venue and the event's status. "I don't know if it's bittersweet," Kaulig said. "We don't know that it's coming to an end." He explained, "We just know they have moved this particular tournament to California." Kaulig added, "We're going to do our best to keep something going to Akron or Firestone." He stated, "I don't know of anything bigger that goes on in Akron other than the Kaulig Companies Championship." Kaulig noted, "We're at famed Firestone. They've been playing professional golf here for 75 years." He also said, "With all the events we have … we have massive amounts of fun." Kaulig Companies Limited is serving as the title sponsor for the fourth consecutive year.

David Utlak, the interim executive director of the tournament, discussed the course conditions and sponsorship. "We had a very wet spring, which means it will be a tough challenge for them with the rough," Utlak said. "In July, the green start to roll." He added, "It will be a great test." Utlak confirmed, "We have a great golf course ready to go for this year." Regarding the contract, he said, "We were able to find a long-term sponsorship." He clarified, "It's just a longer term deal." Utlak noted, "I'm just focused on this year as much as I can."

Round one tee times began at 9:20 a.m. from holes No. 1 and No. 10 on the South Course, which has a yardage of 7,248 and a par of 70. The final groups for round one teed off at 11:26 a.m. Round two is scheduled to begin at 9 a.m. ET on Friday, July 10.