AKRON, Ohio — Cameron Percy shot a 66 in the second round of the Kaulig Companies Championship to seize a one-stroke lead. The Australian’s six-birdie, one-bogey card stunned the field at Firestone Country Club.
Percy, 50, is not a household name on the PGA Tour Champions. His 4-under-par round bypassed seasoned veterans on a layout where Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer, and Tiger Woods once dominated.
Round two saw Percy navigate Firestone’s punishing rough and slick greens with precision. He hit 12 of 14 fairways. His putting average was 1.5 per green in regulation.
“Just kept it in play,” Percy said, per tour officials. “The rough is brutal out here.”
The championship marks Firestone’s final PGA Tour Champions event. The South Course, host to three PGA Championships and seven WGC-Bridgestone Invitationals, will no longer host senior tour stops after 2024.
Tiger Woods won the WGC event at Firestone eight times. Nicklaus captured the 1963 PGA Championship here. Palmer won the 1975 World Series of Golf.
“This place is sacred,” said a tour spokesperson. “The history is unmatched.”
Percy leads a pack that includes defending champion Steve Stricker (68) and Bernhard Langer (70). Ernie Els is three back after a 69.
Weather conditions were dry, winds light. The scoring average for round two was 71.2, making Percy’s 66 an outlier.
Key statistics from round two:
| Player | Score | Birdies | Fairways Hit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cameron Percy | 66 | 6 | 12/14 |
| Steve Stricker | 68 | 4 | 10/14 |
| Bernhard Langer | 70 | 3 | 9/14 |
| Ernie Els | 69 | 5 | 11/14 |
The Kaulig Companies Championship moves to a new venue in 2025. The tour has not confirmed the replacement site.
Percy’s path to victory hinges on maintaining driving accuracy. His 66 was fueled by course management, not power. He ranks 15th in driving distance on tour.
Final round tee times feature Percy in the last group with Stricker and Els. Pressure will mount. Stricker has 12 senior wins. Langer has 46.
“Percy’s got the lead. But Sunday at Firestone is different,” said an analyst on tour radio.
Fans have turned out in force for the farewell. Ticket sales are up 20% from last year, per tournament officials. Social media tributes from past champions have flooded feeds.
💡 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- Q: Who is Cameron Percy and how did he perform in the Kaulig Companies Championship?
- A: Cameron Percy is a 50-year-old Australian golfer who shot a 66 in the second round, grabbing a one-stroke lead over the field with six birdies and just one bogey.
- Q: Why is the Kaulig Companies Championship significant for Firestone Country Club?
- A: This marks the final PGA Tour Champions event at Firestone’s South Course, which has hosted major tournaments won by legends like Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer, and Tiger Woods.
- Q: What was unique about Percy’s round compared to the field?
- A: Percy’s 4-under-par score was an outlier against the round two average of 71.2, achieved through precise driving (12 of 14 fairways) and steady putting.
Extended Reading
Firestone Country Club’s legacy includes hosting the 1958 PGA Championship (Dow Finsterwald), the 1975 World Series of Golf (Tom Weiskopf), and eight WGC events won by Woods. The venue has not hosted a men’s major since 1963. Its departure from the senior tour ends a 50-year relationship with professional golf.