Thomas Bjørn (bottom photo) and Darren Clarke ended the first round of play at the 2025 American Family Insurance Championship in sole possession of first place at 12-under par at TPC Wisconsin on Friday. They lead Richard Green and Mark Hensby by two strokes at 10 under.
This year’s tournament includes a unique team format with pairings playing best ball Friday/Sunday and a scramble format Saturday. “I think we were tactically very, very sound today and did the right things when we had to,” said Bjørn. “When we had two balls in the fairway or two balls on the green, we could be aggressive and that’s why we holed more putts than we probably normally would, and we could take on a little bit more flags.”
Bjørn and Clarke combined to card 12 birdies on the day, including six on the front nine alone.
Multiple teams in contention, including Stricker/Tiziani
Sixteen different teams finished the first day within five strokes of the leaders. That includes defending event champion Ernie Els (partner Tim Herron) and 2022 champion Thongchai Jaidee (partner Brendan Jones) tied for third place at 9 under.
Tournament host and 2023 champion, Steve Stricker, along with his partner Mario Tiziani, who finished their round at 7 under in a tie for ninth place.
Madison native and two-time event champion, Jerry Kelly, along with partner Justin Leonard, sit in a tie for 18th place after shooting a 6 under.
Other first round notes
- This is the first year the American Family Insurance Championship will be played in a two-man team format. Teams play best ball in Rds. 1 and 3, and scramble in Rd. 2. Competing for a $3 million purse, the winning team will share $600,000 ($300,000 per player).
- Thomas Bjørn and Darren Clarke recorded 12 birdies against six pars to take the opening-round lead at the American Family Insurance Championship. The duo posted two separate four-hole birdie streaks during the round, on Nos. 4-7 and 15-18. They will enter the second round with a two-shot lead over the team of Richard Green and Mark Hensby as the event ushers in a new team format era.
- Ángel Cabrera recorded a double eagle on No. 7 with a 4-iron from 245 yards, marking the third albatross on the Champions Tour this season (Kris Blanks/Rd. 1/No. 15/Chubb Classic; Stephen Ames/Rd. 3/No. 18/Mitsubishi Electric Classic), as well as his first in any PGA TOUR-sanctioned event; playing alongside Ricardo Gonzalez, Cabrera is looking to capture his fourth win of the 2025 season; the duo opened with a 7-under 64 (T9)
Celebrity foursome hosted by Andy North featuring Mia Hamm, Justin Herbert and Charles Woodson
The second round of the tournament Saturday, June 7, will feature the AmFam Champ Celebrity Foursome hosted by Andy North.
Joining North for this year’s event is soccer legend Mia Hamm, Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert, and Pro Football Hall of Fame member Charles Woodson. The celebrities will play a 9-hole exhibition for charity starting on the 1st hole following the final grouping of tournament play.
The winning team between North/Hamm and Herbert/Woodson will have a donation of $25,000 made in their name to the American Family Children’s Hospital. The expected tee time is 2 p.m.
PGA TOUR Champions notes/leaderboard
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