AKRON, Ohio — The second round of the Kaulig Companies Championship, the third major of the PGA Tour Champions season, concluded with a thrilling three-way tie at the top. Steven Alker, Tim Petrovic, and Ricardo Gonzalez all finished at 5-under 135, setting the stage for an exciting weekend at Firestone South.

Petrovic, who shot a 4-under 66 on Friday, closed his round with a birdie on the par-4 ninth hole to join Alker and Gonzalez at the top of the leaderboard. Alker, hailing from New Zealand, also carded a 66, while Gonzalez, the Argentine player who shared the first-round lead with Soren Kjeldsen, posted a 68.

Miguel Angel Jiménez is just one stroke behind the leaders after a solid 66, while Freddie Jacobson is three strokes back after a 67. Ángel Cabrera, who has already claimed two majors this year at the Regions Tradition and the Senior PGA Championship, is 1 under after a 68.

The winner of this prestigious tournament will secure a spot in The Players Championship at the TPC Sawgrass next year. Firestone South, a venue with a rich history of hosting the World Series of Golf and a World Golf Championship, continues to be a formidable test for the players. Many of them will next head to the U.S. Senior Open in Colorado, where they will face another challenging course.

As the tournament progresses, all eyes will be on the leaders to see who can maintain their form and claim the title in this highly competitive field.