Soren Kjeldsen and Ricardo Gonzalez share the lead at the Kaulig Companies Championship after both fired 3-under 67s Thursday at Firestone South. The tournament marks the third major of the year on the PGA Tour Champions.
Gonzalez played a patient round, opening with eight consecutive pars before a bogey at 18. He then caught fire on the front nine, making five birdies against just one bogey to climb into a share of the lead.
Stewart Cink, who famously lost to Tiger Woods in a four-hole playoff at this same venue during a 2006 World Golf Championship, was in position to take the solo lead until stumbling with two bogeys in his final three holes. He’s one shot back at 68, tied with Retief Goosen and Steven Alker.
Angel Cabrera, who’s already captured two majors this season at the Regions Tradition and Senior PGA Championship at Congressional, opened with a 71 and sits four shots off the pace.
The stakes are high this week at Firestone. Beyond the prestige of winning a major, the champion earns a coveted spot in The Players Championship at TPC Sawgrass next month.
Firestone South, which previously hosted the World Series of Golf and later a World Golf Championship, continues to provide a stern test. It’s perfect preparation for players heading to the U.S. Senior Open in Colorado next.
