Rory Sabbatini started his Boeing Classic debut with a bogey-free, 7-under 65 on Friday, earning a two-shot lead after the first round of the 54-hole tournament.

Sabbatini made seven birdies across his first 14 holes after starting on the 10th tee. The 50-year-old leads Steven Alker and 2017 champion Jerry Kelly, who each shot 67 at the 21st edition of the event.

The leader hit 16 of 18 greens, took 27 putts and converted both of his sand-save opportunities. He also went 2-for-2 when scrambling, allowing him to complete one of only two bogey-free rounds on Friday.

Sabbatini turns fast start into two-shot lead

Sabbatini covered his opening nine in 33 before returning in 32. Three consecutive birdies at the 17th, 18th and first holes carried him around the turn, and he reached 7-under through 14 holes before finishing with four pars.

The Slovakian is making his 11th PGA Tour Champions start after turning 50 on April 2. His best individual result this season was third at the Kaulig Companies Championship, while he tied for third alongside Brian Gay in the team-format American Family Insurance Championship.

Sabbatini also held a share of the 36-hole lead at the Portugal Invitational two weeks ago. A closing 76 dropped him to a tie for 13th, but his opening round at the Boeing Classic again put him in contention.

A victory on Sunday would make Sabbatini the fifth first-time winner on PGA Tour Champions this season. Zach Johnson, Boo Weekley and Scott Hend have earned maiden titles, while Ben Crane won the American Family Insurance Championship with Darren Clarke.

Sabbatini won six times on the PGA Tour, most recently at the 2011 Cognizant Classic in The Palm Beaches. A Boeing Classic title would end a winless run of 15 years, five months and 10 days. He entered the week 22nd in the Charles Schwab Cup standings.

Alker and Kelly sit two shots back

Alker made seven birdies and two bogeys in his opening 67. The two-time Charles Schwab Cup champion is seeking his 12th PGA Tour Champions victory, his second title of 2026 and his first Boeing Classic win.

Kelly produced six birdies against one bogey. He won this tournament in 2017 with a 19-under total of 197, which shares the 54-hole scoring record with Stephen Ames’ winning mark from 2023.

Kelly claimed last month’s ISPS HANDA Senior Open at Gleneagles for his 15th PGA Tour Champions title and third senior major. Another victory would make him the fourth multiple Boeing Classic champion, following Tom Kite, Bernhard Langer and Ames.

The leader of the Charles Schwab Cup Standings for a reason 🤫@StewartCink chips in for birdie @BoeingClassic! pic.twitter.com/lzsz6SsryT

— PGA TOUR Champions (@ChampionsTour) August 15, 2026

Stewart Cink sits three shots back

Six players share fourth at 4-under: Stewart Cink, Darren Clarke, Steve Flesch, Tim Herron, George McNeill and Vaughn Taylor.

Cink, the Charles Schwab Cup leader, is chasing his fifth victory of the season. He finished second at the Boeing Classic last year after carrying the lead into the final round, then losing by one to Steve Allan.

Herron joined Sabbatini as the only other player to avoid a bogey, making four birdies in his 68. Clarke matched that score on his 58th birthday, while McNeill reached 4-under despite mixing seven birdies with three bogeys.

Defending champion Allan opened with a 69 and shares 10th place. Seattle native Fred Couples began with a 1-under 71 and is tied for 21st.

Fred Couples. Always the entertainer.

A vintage par save for the Seattle native @BoeingClassic! pic.twitter.com/QdXMmlFKo3

— PGA TOUR Champions (@ChampionsTour) August 14, 2026

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Back-to-back rounds of 66 put the 24-year-old Thai player at 12 under, with three players close behind as she chases her first LPGA Tour victory.

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