Zach Johnson shot a 63, taking a four-shot lead at Firestone Country Club in the final round of the Kaulig Companies Championship. The round stunned the field and marked the PGA Tour’s final event at the 72-year-old venue.
Johnson’s 63 was a masterclass in precision. He hit 12 of 14 fairways and 16 greens in regulation. The 2015 Open Champion made seven birdies, including three on the back nine. The crowd fell silent as his scorecard unfolded. The 63 stands as one of the tournament’s lowest final rounds in history.
The round’s emotional weight was amplified by the setting. This was the PGA Tour’s farewell to Firestone. Ernie Els called the tour’s departure “crushing.” Other legends echoed his sentiment. The course has hosted PGA Tour events since 1954. The move to Newport Beach, California, in 2027 ends a 72-year run.
Golf legends mourn as PGA Tour leaves Firestone. Players like Bernhard Langer and Fred Couples expressed sorrow on social media. Langer called it “the end of an era.” The venue’s South Course, designed by Robert Trent Jones, is considered one of the sport’s toughest tests.
The Kaulig Companies Championship final round drew strong viewership on Golf Channel. The broadcast captured Johnson’s walk up the 18th fairway. Fans lined the ropes, many in tears. Johnson tipped his cap to the gallery. He later called the moment “surreal.”
Social media melted down over the finale. Tweets with the hashtag Kaulig Companies Championship final round trended. One fan wrote: “63 to win the last event at Firestone. Unreal.” Another posted: “This is why we love golf.” The mix of awe for the 63 and sorrow for the venue’s loss dominated the feed.
Johnson’s victory is his second on the Champions Tour this year. He now has 14 career wins across all tours. The four-shot lead was the largest in the tournament’s five-year history. His final round 63 was also the lowest of the week.
The tournament’s legacy now shifts. Firestone will host corporate events and member play. The Akron community loses an annual economic driver. Local businesses face a revenue gap. The Kaulig Companies Championship’s new home in Newport Beach brings a fresh start.
💡 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- Q: What score did Zach Johnson shoot in the final round of the Kaulig Companies Championship?
- A: Zach Johnson shot a 63, taking a four-shot lead at Firestone Country Club.
- Q: Why is the PGA Tour leaving Firestone Country Club?
- A: The PGA Tour is relocating to Newport Beach, California, in 2027, ending a 72-year run at Firestone.
- Q: How did golf legends react to the PGA Tour’s departure from Firestone?
- A: Ernie Els called the departure ‘crushing,’ and Bernhard Langer described it as ‘the end of an era.’
Extended Reading
The Kaulig Companies Championship concluded its 2026 edition with Zach Johnson’s historic 63. The PGA Tour’s departure from Firestone ends a 72-year relationship. The tournament moves to Newport Beach in 2027. The final round broadcast is available on Golf Channel’s replay service.