AKRON, Ohio (AP) — Søren Kjeldsen of Denmark and Ricardo Gonzalez of Argentina each shot 3-under 67 on Firestone South to share the lead Thursday after the opening round of the Kaulig Companies Championship, the third major of the year on the PGA TOUR Champions.

Gonzalez opened with eight pars, took bogey on No. 18 and then played the front nine with five birdies to offset one bogey

Stewart Cink, who lost in a four-hole playoff to Tiger Woods at Firestone in 2006 at a World Golf Championship, was poised to take the lead until two bogeys on his final three holes.

He was at 68 along with Retief Goosen and Steven Alker.

Ángel Cabrera, who already has captured two majors (the Regions Tradition and the Senior PGA Championship at Congressional), opened with a 71.

The winner of the tournaments earns a spot in THE PLAYERS Championship at TPC Sawgrass next year.. Firestone South previously hosted the World Series of Golf and then a World Golf Championship. It's a strong test for players who next go to the U.S. Senior Open in Colorado.

Things to know

• The round was delayed for 59 minutes due to lightning from 1:50 p.m. to 2:49 p.m. ET.
• Thursday’s weather featured clouds and rain, with winds between 14–18 mph and gusts up to 30 mph.
• The course played to a scoring average of 72.988 (par 70, 7,045 yards).

Søren Kjeldsen (35-32 – 67, -3)

The 50-year-old Danish rookie is making just his fourth start on PGA TOUR Champions and continues his impressive run in 2025. Kjeldsen, who turned 50 in May, has already posted back-to-back top-two finishes, including a runner-up showing in last week’s team event.

• Seeking first win on PGA TOUR Champions
• Previous results: T8 (Senior PGA), P2 (Principal Charity), T2 (American Family Insurance)
• First time leading/co-leading after Round 1
• Made three appearances at Firestone in WGC events (best: T12 in 2015)
• Would be fifth first-time winner on Tour this season

Ricardo Gonzalez (31-36 – 67, -3)

The 55-year-old Argentinian is searching for his first senior major and second PGA TOUR Champions title. Gonzalez, who won the 2024 Trophy Hassan II, is making his 49th career start.

• Best senior major finish: T15 (2024 ISPS HANDA)
• Second time leading/co-leading after Round 1 (0-for-1)
• Best 2025 finish: T8 (Principal Charity Classic)
• Finished T40 at Kaulig Companies Championship in 2024
• Was T1 after Round 1 at the 2025 Mitsubishi Electric Championship (finished T19)

Notables

• Steven Alker (T3, 68) – Charles Schwab Cup No. 3 bogeyed two of his last four holes but remains in the hunt for his second win and second senior major of the season.
  • Tenth PGA TOUR Champions win would come in his 86th start
  • Winner of the 2022 Senior PGA and 2025 Cologuard Classic
• Stewart Cink (T3, 68) – Opened with 68 in search of his second win of 2025 and third overall on PGA TOUR Champions. The 52-year-old won at Firestone in 2004 on the PGA TOUR and finished runner-up in 2006.
  • Winner: 2025 Insperity Invitational
  • Best senior major finishes: third (2023 Senior PGA), T3 (2024 Regions Tradition)
• Retief Goosen (T3, 68) – The 2019 champion and Hall of Famer posted 2-under to stay within striking distance.
  • Fourth win would come in his 133rd start
  • Winner: 2024 Galleri Classic
  • Best 2025 finish: P2 (Insperity Invitational)
• Miguel Ángel Jiménez (T10, 70) – The Charles Schwab Cup leader opened with even par as he eyes his next title.
• Ángel Cabrera (T17, 71) – Winner of the season’s first two senior majors, Cabrera looks to keep the streak alive after a 1-over start.