Overview
- Stewart Cink and Charlie Wi each shot 3-under 67 to share the 18-hole lead after the opening round at Scioto Country Club.
- Cink has four wins in nine PGA Tour Champions starts this year and is pursuing a rare third straight senior major, a run that has raised expectations for his title chances.
- Wi produced a five-birdie streak in his round but also took a double bogey on the 8th, leaving him tied atop the leaderboard despite the setback.
- Defending champion Pádraig Harrington birdied three of his last six holes to open with a 1-under 69 and remains firmly in contention.
- Players said scorching conditions — temperatures near 95°F with a heat index around 103 — affected focus and energy as second-round play began and a deep field pursues a $4 million purse.