It was a great start for both Pádraig Harrington and Darren Clarke as the pair posted seven-under-par first rounds to share second place and sit just two-strokes back from the lead at En-Joie Golf Club in New York.
Harrington didn’t let an early bogey at the first get in his way of a strong round as the 54-year-old powered on to make four birdies at the third, fourth, fifth, and eighth to take the turn at three-under.
Harrington made another birdie at the par-4 10th before making his final bogey of the round at the 11th. That bogey seemed to have strirred something in the three-time major winner as he went on to birdie four of the next five holes to post a 65. Harrington looks to secure his fourth career win at the DICK’S Open after capturing the tournament title in 2022, 2023 and 2024. Harrington did not compete in 2025.
Tyrone’s Darren Clarke was faultless throughout 18-holes, keeping any squares away from his scorecard. Clarke made birdie at the third, fifth, and seventh, to take the turn at three-under.
On the back nine, Clarke’s birdies came in pairs as he made threes at the par-4 10th and 11th, as well as the 15th and 16th before parring his way back to the clubhouse. 57-year-old looks to secure his second win of the 2026 season after partnering with Ben Crane to win the American Family Insurance Championship earlier this month.
Clarke is also seeking his seventh PGA TOUR Champions title in his 162nd start.
In fitting fashion Dicky Pride leads DICK’S Open by two strokes with an opening round nine-under-par as the 56-year went bogey free. Pride made five birdies on the front nine before a very strong finish saw him birdie the last three holes to post a 63, tieing his career low on PGA TOUR Champions.
Pride is seeking his second PGA TOUR Champions title in his 136th career start, with his only victory coming in 2021 at the Mitsubishi Electric Classic.
USA’s Tommy Gainey joins Harrington and Clarke at seven-under. Gainey made nine birdies and two-bogeys on his route to a 65.
Making his PGA TOUR Champions debut after turning 50 on June 15, Michael Block opens with a six-under 66 to sit T5. Block seeks to become the 23rd player in Champions Tour history to win in his debut.
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