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Vaughn Taylor opens with 63, takes one-shot lead at The Ally Challenge
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GRAND BLANC, MICHIGAN - AUGUST 28: Vaughn Taylor of the United States hits an approach shot on the second hole during the first round of The Ally Challenge 2026 at Warwick Hills Golf And Country Club on August 28, 2026 in Grand Blanc, Michigan. (Photo by Mike Mulholland/Getty Images)
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Written by Staff
Rookie Vaughn Taylor birdied his last four holes (Nos. 6-9) to open with 9-under 63 and takes a one-stroke lead over John Rollins after the first round of The Ally Challenge presented by McLaren.
Vaughn Taylor, 32-31 – 63 (-9)
- The 50-year-old seeks his first win on PGA TOUR Champions (14th start)
- Best finish: T7 (2026 Portugal Invitational)
- Turned 50 on March 9
- Has two top-10 finishes during his rookie season, both in his last three starts.
- Last three starts (chronologically): T7 (Portugal Invitational), T19 (Boeing Classic) and T9 (Rogers Charity Classic)
- Entered the week ranked No. 39 in the 2026 Charles Schwab Cup standings
- This is his low 18-hole score on PGA TOUR Champions (43rd individual stroke play round)
- Previous low: 65 (2026 Rogers Charity Classic, Final Round)
- This is his first time leading/co-leading after the first round on PGA TOUR Champions
- Previous best 18-hole position: T3 (2026 Principal Charity Classic) – finished T12
- Has three wins on the PGA TOUR (459 starts) and one win on the Korn Ferry Tour (81 starts)
- PGA TOUR wins (three): 2004 Reno-Tahoe Open, 2005 Reno-Tahoe Open and 2016 AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am
- Korn Ferry Tour win (one): 2003 Visit Knoxville Open
- Made four appearances at Warwick Hills Golf & Country Club for the Buick Open, earning two top-10 finishes
- Finishes at the Buick Open (chronologically): MC (2005), T4 (2006), MC (2008) and T8 (2009)
Other notes
- John Rollins (second) hit all 18 greens in regulation en route to a bogey-free 64. The 51-year-old seeks his first win on PGA TOUR Champions (19th start).
- Best finish: T11 (2026 U.S. Senior Open)
- Three days shy of his 55th birthday, World Golf Hall of Fame member Pádraig Harrington (third) carded 7-under 65 for his best 18-hole score at The Ally Challenge (10th round). Harrington seeks his 13th win on PGA TOUR Champions (76th start).
- Last win: 2026 U.S. Senior Open
- Two-time defending champion (2024, 2025) and Charles Schwab Cup leader Stewart Cink sits T7 after posting a bogey-free 67.
- Making his debut as a PGA TOUR Champions member, Henrik Stenson (T12) played his first 11 holes in 1 over before playing his final seven holes in 5 under en route to an opening 68.
- World Golf Hall of Fame member Ernie Els (back) withdrew before the start of the first round and was replaced by David Bransdon (T38).
