Ernie Els started as he always does lately as he carded a solid two-under-par 68 in the first round of the PGA Tour Champions Kaulig Companies Championship at Firestone Country Club in Akron, Ohio.
Els made four birdies and two bogeys to be three shots off the lead, which was shared by the inevitable Steve Stricker and Harrison Frazar of the United States at five-under. They were one ahead of Stewart Cink, with Alex Cejka of Germany, Korea’s YE Yang and American Brett Quigley in a share of fourth on three-under. Els shared seventh with Justin Leonard of the United States.
Retief Goosen opened with a four-over-par 74 to be down in a share of 55th in the 78-man field.
